AS1657 Compliance Checklist for Platforms & Stairs (Mining & Industrial)

29 Sept

Walkways, platforms, stairs, and ladders are where people spend time, and where inspectors look first. AS1657 sets the rules for safe access systems in Australian industry. This post gives you a clear, practical checklist for auditing existing platforms and for specifying new ones on mining and industrial sites.

Scope reminder: AS1657 covers fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, and ladders (and their guardrails, toeboards, landings). It doesn’t cover temporary scaffolding or lifts.

1) General arrangement & access

Safe approach routes: No obstructions, adequate headroom, clear of process hazards.
Continuity: Access between levels via stairs preferred; ladders only where space/function demands.
Landing logic: Landings at doorways, changes in direction, and intervals on long stairs/ladders.

2) Platform & walkway geometry

Minimum clear width: Commonly ≥600–800 mm (project-specific; check current AS1657 clause).
Headroom: Typically ≥2.0 m clear.
Flooring: Non-slip (grating, chequer plate, serrated bar), gap limits to avoid heel traps; load capacity documented.
Deflection & vibration: Comfortable under foot traffic; no tripping on lapped grating.

3) Stairs (preferred over ladders)

Pitch: Typically 20–45° (avoid super-steep).
Risers & goings: Consistent; target ergonomic dimensions per AS1657 tables.
Width: Adequate for traffic (≥600–800 mm common).
Landings: At top and bottom; intermediate landings for long flights.
Nosings: Visible, non-slip treatment.
Handrails: Both sides for wider stairs or where risk dictates; continuous, easy to grip.

4) Ladders (only when justified)

Type selection: Vertical fixed, single-stile, or caged where required by height/risk.
Standoff & clearances: Maintain toe clearance behind rungs; side clearances from obstructions.
Rest platforms: At intervals for tall climbs.
Fall protection: Cages or fall-arrest systems for significant heights, per risk assessment.

5) Guardrails & midrails

Heights: Top rail typically ~1100 mm above floor; midrail positioned to prevent falls.
Openings: No gaps large enough for a body to pass; consider kickboards (see below).
Loading: Designed to resist lateral loads (crowd loads where relevant).

6) Toeboards / kickplates

When required: Wherever items could fall to a lower level or above process equipment.
Height: Typically ~100–150 mm; continuous with minimal gaps around stanchions.
Interfaces: Check penetrations (pipes, cabling) for openings below toeboard height.

7) Gates & openings

Self-closing gates at platform edges, ladder openings, and transitions.
Direction: Gates should not open over ladder climbs; ensure safe step-through.
Interlocks where process hazards exist.

8) Slip resistance

Surface selection: Serrated grating, anti-slip plate, anti-slip nosings on stairs.
Maintenance: Keep surfaces free of mud, oil, slurry; document cleaning regime.
Coatings: Consider non-slip coatings in wet areas; ensure durability.

9) Structural adequacy (tie-in with AS4100/AS3990)

Platform support steel: Designed and verified (usually AS4100).
Equipment skids/guards: If part of machinery, AS3990 may apply.
Fixings: Bolts/welds sized; check fatigue where vibration exists.
Deflection limits: Keep handrail posts stiff; avoid wobbly rails.

10) Doors & egress on platforms

Swing direction: Doors should not swing over stair flights or create fall risks.
Thresholds: Flush or ramped—no trip lips.
Clear areas: Maintain landing widths free of obstructions.

11) Corrosion & environment

Materials: Galv steel, aluminium, stainless as appropriate.
Coatings: Hot-dip galv, paint systems; specify C-category per environment.
Inspection: Check grating clips, stanchion bases, and ladder brackets for rust loss.

12) Signage & lighting

Illumination: Adequate lux on stairs/landings; no harsh glare.
Signage: “Mind your head/step,” load limits for suspended platforms, “no entry” gates as needed.
Colour contrast: Stair nosings and first/last risers clearly visible.

13) Documentation & QA

Mark-ups: Platform GA, stair details, handrail drawings with AS1657 references.
ITP: Hold points for railing height checks, gate operation, toeboard continuity.
MDR: Include material certificates, galvanizing reports, coating DFT checks.

AS1657 is practical when you treat it as a design-for-use standard, not just a box-tick. Good geometry, reliable handrails, sensible gates, and robust detailing make platforms safer and audits smoother. Tie it all back to AS4100/AS3990 for structural adequacy and you’ll have access systems that look right, feel right, and test right.

David Finlay