Height Safety Standards Australia
There are a number of Standards that are applicable for the Australian workplace with respect to working at height and confined spaces. As a general rule, Standards are not mandatory, however they are important as they are referred to in the Codes of Practice and they establish minimum standards for product manufacturing, product performance & specifications, as well as use.
The creation of the relevant Standards is overseen by Standards Australia through a committee process, and then to periodically review the documents for changing industry developments.
Standards are only available for purchase from Standards Australia. See www.standards.org.au for more information.
The key Standards that apply include:
- AS/NZS 1657 Fixed platforms walkways stairways and ladders – Design construction and installation
- AS/NZS 1891.1 Industrial fall-arrest systems & devices – Harnesses & ancillary equipment
- AS/NZS 1891.2 Industrial fall-arrest systems & devices – Horizontal lifeline & rail systems
- AS/NZS 1891.3 Industrial fall-arrest systems & devices – Fall-arrest devices
- AS/NZS 1891.4 Industrial fall-arrest systems & devices – Selection, Use & Maintenance
- AS/NZS 1892 Portable Ladders
- AS/NZS 2865 Confined Spaces
- AS/NZS 4142.3 Fibre Ropes – man-made fibre rope for static life rescue lines
- AS/NZS 4488.1 Industrial rope access systems – Specifications
- AS/NZS 4488.2 Industrial rope access systems – Selection, Use & Maintenance
- AS/NZS 5532 Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor device used for harness-based work at height
