One of Australia’s leading suppliers of height safety products, Safemaster Safety Products was contracted to supply, install and certify a roof access safety system for the Baldivis Senior High School project.
An aluminium suspended staircase with platforms was designed and fabricated to measure in the Safemaster workshop. Since both the Performing Arts Theatre and the Sports Hall at the school were too high for the roof to be accessed externally by an extension ladder, Safemaster had to fix the suspended staircase and platforms to an internal wall on both these buildings.
The first platform is 2½ metres above the ground and must be reached by a portable ladder ensuring only authorised persons can access it. A fixed ladder leads to the second platform. The staircase allows access to the roof through the hatch, also installed by Safemaster. Instead of conventional steel hatches, these roof hatches have an acrylic see-through dome for use as skylights.
Operations Manager Richard Wilkinson explained that the project was executed without any problem.
Safemaster’s continuing product development allows it to keep pace with industry changes and the requirements of relevant standards and legislation. The company has the versatility to address the demands of different developments, from modern architecture to heritage buildings and harsh industrial environmental conditions.
Established in 1998, the Canning Vale, Perth-based Safemaster has built a strong position in the height safety segment by offering industry-leading support, products and services. Compliant with the relevant Australian Standards, Safemaster safety products include anchor point systems, rigid life rail systems, static line systems, guardrail systems, walkway systems, modular ladder systems, harness gear and accessories, as well as stepladders, stairs and platforms.
By the year 2010, the company had installed 383 roof access ladders, 10,112 anchorage points, over 2500 safety signs, and around 5km of static line and hundreds of harness kits, while equipping over 1500 buildings with compliant fall prevention systems.
Safemaster offers excellent advice on its website in the eNEWS section about working at heights, regular reviews on Australian industry standards and regulations, and information on the latest fall prevention products and techniques.
Safemaster is currently working on multiple projects including the Burswood Gaming Extension, Hollywood Hospital, and Harvey Agricultural College.
