FACILITY SAFETY

 

Click on any of the following links for detailed information.

 

·       AISLES

·       DOORS

·       EMERGENCY LIGHTING

·       FLOOR OPENINGS

·       GUARDRAILS

·       HOUSEKEEPING

·       ILLUMINATION

·       LADDERS

·       LUNCHROOMS

·       TOEBOARDS

·       STAIRS

 

AISLES

Aisles must be strong enough to withstand traffic, have secure footing for workers and traction for vehicles. If installed before July 1 1997, aisles must be at least 60cm wide. If installed after July 1 1997, aisles must be at least 90 cm wide. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 250)

 

DOORS

Doors in hazardous areas must open away from the hazard and not be blocked. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 249)

 

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

Emergency lighting must be provided for the workplace and the exit route if a lighting failure causes danger to workers. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 69)

 

FLOOR OPENINGS

Any opening in a floor or work surface must be covered, or provided with guardrail and toeboard. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 124)

 

GUARDRAILS

Where a guardrail is required, it must be between 92 and 10.7 cm above the surface with a horizontal member midway. The guardrail must be supported along its length by posts not more than 3m apart, strong enough to support a worker. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 122)

 

HOUSEKEEPING

Ensure that no material is stacked or stored to cause a hazard. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 129)

 

ILLUMINATION

Provide lighting in the workplace sufficient for the health and safety of workers. Artificial lighting must not cause glare or shadows. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 69)

 

LADDERS

Ladders must be designed, constructed, used, and maintained to perform safely. Wooden ladders must not be painted other than with a transparent coating.

 

A portable ladder must have non-slip feet, be secured against accidental movement, and extend at least 1m above the surface accessed. A metal ladder must not be used where it may contact an electrical conductor. Workers that use portable ladders must be instructed in the regulatory requirements.

 

A stepladder must not be more than 6m high, must have the legs held in place by braces, and have an angle of 1 in 6.

 

An extension ladder must be equipped with locks to hold the sections extended. Sections must overlap by 1m when extended. A two section ladder must not be longer than 14.6m; if more than two sections, not longer than 20m.

 

No single portable ladder or section of an extension may be longer than 9m.

 

If a portable ladder is placed against a structure, it must have a 1 in 4 gradient. A worker must not extend his or her body outside the ladder and must always have three points of contact with the ladder.

 

A fixed ladder must be vertical or at an angle of less than 25o otherwise it is considered as stairs. Rungs must be spaced uniformly 25-30 cm apart, there must be clearance of 15cm behind ladder, the ladder must be held in place top and bottom, the side rails extend at least 1m above top surface, and the ladder opening must not be greater than 75cm square. If the fixed ladder is more than 6m high, it must have platforms at least every 6m and cages or fall arrest equip. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 252-255)

 

LUNCHROOMS

Eating areas must be provided that are kept clean and reasonably quiet. Where the work processes may contaminate food, a separate eating area close to washing facilities must be provided. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 75)

 

TOEBOARDS

Toeboards must be provided at edges of floors etc. from which materials could fall further than 1.2m. Docks are excepted. Toeboards must be 12.5 cm high. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 123)

 

STAIRS

Where there are five or more treads, there must be a handrail the length of stairway. The handrail must be 80-92 cm above the treads, and be strong enough to support a worker. On an open side of a stairway, there must be both a handrail and an intermediate rail. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 121)

 

The width, depth, and vertical distances of treads must be equal. Stairs installed after July 1, 1997 must be at least 60cm wide. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 251)

 

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