AS 1657—1992 Australian Standard Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders — Design, construction and installation First published as AS CA10-1938. Australian Standard® Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—Design, construction and installation First published as CA10—1938. Fourth edition 1971. Revised and redesignated AS 1657—1974. Fourth edition 2013. Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (June 2016). COPYRIGHT © Standards Australia Limited All rights are reserved. The newly revised Australian Standard AS 1657 - 2013, Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders - Design, construction and installation has recently been published. Standards Australia is committed to maintaining a contemporary and relevant catalogue of Australian Standards® which add to the net benefit of the Australian community. The Aged Standards Review is one of the ways in which Standards Australia gives effect to that commitment.

By Carl Sachs The revised Australian Standard AS1657 for fixed ladders, platforms and walkways released in October 2013 plugs some serious holes. Guard rails made of rubber, for example, are now explicitly unacceptable.

While absurd, rubber guard rails technically complied with the 21-year-old AS1657 and the example shows just how sorely an update was needed. Four big changes to AS1657 The biggest changes to AS1657 concern selection, labelling, guardrail testing and the design of fixed ladders. Access selection The new standard deals with the selection of access methods. It explains when to use different types of access, adopting a hierarchical approach consistent with the OHS legislation. A new “Safe Ladder” appendix details how to be sure that ladders satisfy technical and ergonomic requirements for workplaces. Fixed ladder design The most significant set of changes to AS1657 concerns the design of fixed ladders.