as-1657

AS 1657:2018 — Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders — Design, Construction and Installation — Complete Reference

Purpose

This skill provides the complete text of AS 1657:2018, Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders — Design, construction and installation. It enables accurate clause lookup and compliance checking against the standard's requirements for the design, construction and installation of fixed means of access used in workplaces for operating, inspection, maintenance and servicing personnel.

AS 1657:2018 is the primary Australian standard for the design, construction and installation of fixed means of access in workplaces. The standard specifies requirements for the safe design of platforms, walkways, stairways, ladders, guardrailing systems, handrails and toeboards. It establishes design loads, materials specifications, fabrication requirements, installation practices and labelling requirements. The standard covers access selection hierarchy, edge protection design, ladder types and specifications, and provides guidance through informative appendices on component dimensions, testing procedures, selection criteria and installation best practice.

The standard is structured in eight main sections plus ten informative and normative appendices. Section 1 sets out scope, exclusions, normative references and definitions. Section 2 addresses means of access selection in hierarchical order. Section 3 covers general design and fabrication requirements including materials, design loads and slip resistance. Section 4 specifies platform and landing requirements including design loads and guardrailing. Section 5 addresses walkway design and specifications. Section 6 covers physical edge protection (guardrailing) design and testing. Section 7 addresses access between levels including stairways and all ladder types (step-type, twin-stile rung-type, single-stile rung-type and individual-rung ladders). Section 8 covers labelling and documentation requirements. Appendices provide component dimensions, testing procedures, selection guidance, fall protection guidance and roof access guidance.

Critical Rules

1. Only cite clauses that appear in the section files. Never fabricate or assume clause numbers or content. If a clause cannot be located in these files, state that the specific clause should be verified against a current copy of the standard.
2. Citation format: Use "Clause X.Y.Z" for individual clauses, e.g. "Clause 4.4 of AS 1657:2018" or "Clauses 7.4.1 to 7.4.5" for a range. For figures, use "Figure X.Y" or reference as "[FIGURE X — description]" where figures are not fully extracted.
3. Use conservative, factual language when describing standard requirements. Avoid subjective interpretation — describe what the standard requires in objective terms. Use "the standard requires" or "Clause X.Y specifies" rather than interpretive language.
4. Always use Australian English spelling (e.g. organisation, centres, colours, defence).
5. If a clause cannot be located in these files, state this explicitly. Do not guess or reconstruct clause content from memory.
6. Distinguish between mandatory and recommended content. The standard uses "shall" for mandatory requirements and "should" for recommendations (as per Clause 1.4.21 and 1.4.22).
7. Distinguish between the standard and legislation. AS 1657:2018 is a technical standard, not legislation. WHS Acts and Regulations are covered by separate skills. The standard may be referenced by or incorporated into workplace legislation.
8. Note text extraction limitations. The reference files were extracted from a text conversion of the standard. Tables, figures, and diagrams may not be fully preserved. If a query depends on specific table data or figures, advise the user to verify against the published standard.
9. Regulatory standing: AS 1657:2018 is a Category 4 (Advisory/Best Practice) standard. It is not directly mandated by specific legislation but represents recognised good practice for fixed means of access design. It is commonly referenced in workplace risk assessments, WHS codes of practice (particularly the Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice), and may be used as evidence of what is "reasonably practicable" under WHS legislation. It is also referenced by AS 4084.1 for walkway requirements in racking installations.

Section Index

Read the relevant section file(s) based on the subject matter of the query:

File	Section	Key Clauses	When to Read
sections/section-01-scope-and-general.md	Section 1 — Scope and General	Clauses 1.1–1.4	Scope of the standard (fixed platforms, walkways, stairways, ladders, roof access), exclusions (scaffolding, temporary access, building egress), normative references (AS/NZS 1170 structural design, AS/NZS 1554 welding, AS 1604 timber treatment, AS 1720 timber structures, AS 3600 concrete, AS 3700 masonry, AS 4100 steel structures), definitions (Clause 1.4) — including fixed, platform, walkway, stairway, ladder types, guardrailing, handrail, toeboard, handrail, slip resistance, etc.
sections/section-02-means-of-access.md	Section 2 — Means of Access	Clauses 2.1–2.2	General access requirements (Clause 2.1), selection hierarchy for means of fixed access (Clause 2.2) — selection from level walkways, sloping walkways, stairs, step-type ladders, twin-stile rung-type ladders, single-stile rung-type ladders and individual-rung ladders in hierarchical order of preference.
sections/section-03-design-and-fabrication.md	Section 3 — Design and Fabrication	Clauses 3.1–3.3	General design requirements (Clause 3.1) including design standards conformance, loading, slip resistance, headroom, height differences between levels, materials (Clause 3.2) including metals, timber, concrete, fabrication (Clause 3.3) including welding, fixings, corrosion protection, floors.
sections/section-04-platforms-and-landings.md	Section 4 — Platforms and Landings	Clauses 4.1–4.7	General platform requirements (Clause 4.1) including slope, access between levels, width, headroom, design loads (Clause 4.2), platform surfaces (Clause 4.3) including slip resistance, guardrailing requirements (Clause 4.4), safety below platforms (Clause 4.5), toeboard (Clause 4.6), edge identification (Clause 4.7).
sections/section-05-walkways.md	Section 5 — Walkways	Clauses 5.1–5.6	General walkway requirements (Clause 5.1) including slope and width, design loads (Clause 5.2), walking surfaces (Clause 5.3), guardrailing (Clause 5.4), toeboard (Clause 5.5), handrails (Clause 5.6) including profile, diameter, spacing and height requirements.
sections/section-06-physical-edge-protection.md	Section 6 — Physical Edge Protection	Clauses 6.1–6.2	Edge protection design (Clause 6.1) including guardrail height, spacing, strength requirements and testing, specific requirements (Clause 6.2) including posts, rails, infill, self-closing gates.
sections/section-07-access-between-levels.md	Section 7 — Access Between Levels	Clauses 7.1–7.6	Design requirements (Clause 7.1) including loads and testing, stairways (Clause 7.2) including tread, riser, handrail requirements, step-type ladders (Clause 7.3), twin-stile rung-type ladders (Clause 7.4) including rung spacing, single-stile rung-type ladders (Clause 7.5), individual-rung (step-iron) ladders (Clause 7.6).
sections/section-08-labelling-and-documentation.md	Section 8 — Labelling and Documentation	Clauses 8.1–8.3	General labelling (Clause 8.1), installation labelling (Clause 8.2) including load information and inspection intervals, supplied documentation (Clause 8.3).

Appendix Index

File	Appendix	Content	When to Read
sections/appendix-a-component-dimensions.md	Appendix A (Normative)	Recommended component dimensions and materials for edge protection (guardrails, posts, rails, infill)	When designing guardrailing systems or specifying edge protection component dimensions and material options
sections/appendix-b-testing-guardrailing.md	Appendix B (Normative)	Testing procedures for guardrailing comprising rails and posts	When verifying guardrailing strength or reviewing test requirements and acceptance criteria
sections/appendix-c-testing-infill.md	Appendix C (Normative)	Testing procedures for guardrailing infill	When verifying infill strength or reviewing infill testing requirements
sections/appendix-d-testing-stair-assembly.md	Appendix D (Normative)	Testing procedures for stair assembly including tread and step strength	When verifying stairway structural requirements or reviewing stair testing procedures
sections/appendix-e-test-reports.md	Appendix E (Normative)	Test report documentation requirements	When preparing or reviewing test reports for compliance with the standard
sections/appendix-f-testing-fixed-ladders.md	Appendix F (Normative)	Testing procedures for fixed ladders — load-carrying capacity testing for twin-stile and single-stile rung-type ladders	When verifying ladder load capacity or reviewing ladder testing requirements
sections/appendix-g-selection-guidance.md	Appendix G (Informative)	Selection guidance for stairways, walkways and fixed ladders	When providing guidance on selecting appropriate access types for specific applications
sections/appendix-h-fall-protection.md	Appendix H (Informative)	Fall protection measures and guidelines for various ladder types	When addressing fall protection requirements or choosing appropriate fall protection systems for ladder work
sections/appendix-i-ladder-design-guidance.md	Appendix I (Informative)	Safe ladder design, installation and use guidance	When seeking design and installation best practice guidance for ladders
sections/appendix-j-roof-access.md	Appendix J (Informative)	Roof access guidelines for routine equipment and building maintenance	When designing or specifying access to roofs for maintenance purposes

Regulatory Standing

AS 1657:2018 is a Category 4 — Advisory/Best Practice Standard. It is not directly mandated by specific legislation but represents recognised good practice for the design, construction and installation of fixed means of access. The standard is commonly referenced in workplace risk assessments and may be used as evidence of what is "reasonably practicable" under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation.

Whilst not a legislatively mandated standard in all Australian jurisdictions, AS 1657:2018 is widely recognised as the benchmark for fixed means of access design. Compliance with the standard is often expected under:

• General WHS duty of care requirements to ensure the health and safety of workers accessing equipment and facilities
• Risk assessment obligations (where fixed access creates a hazard, the risk control measures in the standard may be relevant)
• Due diligence requirements for officers and PCBUs in managing risks related to access
• State or territory-specific WHS codes of practice, particularly the Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice, which directly references AS 1657
• Industry-specific standards and requirements (e.g. AS 4084.1 for walkways in storage racking installations)
• Building and construction regulations in some jurisdictions

Always check jurisdiction-specific requirements, as some states or territories may incorporate elements of this standard by reference in their own legislation or regulations. For full regulatory context, consult the relevant WHS Act and Regulations for your jurisdiction.

Workflow

1. Identify the subject matter from the user's query — is it a clause lookup, a compliance check, design guidance, or a question about a specific access type?
2. Read the relevant section file(s) — consult the Section Index above to determine which file(s) to read. For most queries, one or two files will suffice. Read only what is needed.
3. For compliance checking: Read Section 1 to understand scope and definitions, then read the relevant section addressing the specific type of access or component (platforms, walkways, stairs, ladders, or guardrailing).
4. For access selection: Read Section 2 to understand the hierarchical selection process and Appendix G for detailed guidance.
5. Cite clauses accurately from the extracted text. Include clause numbers as they appear in the source files.
6. Cross-reference where appropriate — many requirements span multiple sections (e.g. slip resistance requirements appear in Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7; guardrailing requirements appear in Sections 4, 5 and 6).
7. Flag limitations — if the query depends on specific figure details or tabulated data that may not be fully preserved in the text extraction, advise the user to verify against the published standard.
8. Distinguish between normative and informative appendices — normative appendices (A–F) are integral to the standard; informative appendices (G–J) provide guidance only.

Common Query Routing

Query Topic	Primary Section(s)	Key Clauses
Scope of the standard — what it covers	Section 1	Clause 1.1
What the standard excludes	Section 1	Clause 1.2
Definitions of key terms	Section 1	Clause 1.4
Access selection hierarchy	Section 2	Clause 2.2
Structural design requirements	Section 3	Clauses 3.1.1–3.1.2
Materials for platforms, walkways, stairs, ladders	Section 3	Clause 3.2
Slip resistance requirements	Sections 3, 4, 5, 7	Clauses 3.1.3, 4.3, 5.3, 7.2.6, 7.3.4, 7.4.6, 7.5.6
Headroom and height differences	Section 3	Clauses 3.1.4–3.1.5
Platform design and width	Section 4	Clauses 4.1–4.2
Platform design loads	Section 4	Clause 4.2
Guardrailing general requirements	Sections 4, 5	Clauses 4.4, 5.4
Edge protection design — height, spacing, strength	Section 6	Clause 6.1
Handrail profile and dimensions	Section 5	Clause 5.6
Toeboard requirements	Sections 4, 5, 6	Clauses 4.6, 5.5, 6.1.2
Stairway design requirements	Section 7	Clause 7.2
Stairway tread, riser, slope requirements	Section 7	Clauses 7.2.2–7.2.5
Step-type ladder requirements	Section 7	Clause 7.3
Twin-stile rung-type ladder requirements	Section 7	Clause 7.4
Single-stile rung-type ladder requirements	Section 7	Clause 7.5
Individual-rung (step-iron) ladder requirements	Section 7	Clause 7.6
Ladder cage requirements	Section 7	Clauses 7.4.8, 7.5.9
Ladder fixings and connections	Section 7	Clauses 7.4.2, 7.5.2
Ladder design loads and testing	Section 7	Clause 7.1
Labelling and load information	Section 8	Clauses 8.2–8.3
Fall protection for ladders	Appendix H	—
Component dimensions for edge protection	Appendix A	—
Testing procedures — guardrailing	Appendix B	—
Testing procedures — infill	Appendix C	—
Testing procedures — stairways	Appendix D	—
Testing procedures — ladders	Appendix F	—
Access type selection guidance	Appendix G	—
Roof access design	Appendix J	—

Version Information

• Standard: AS 1657:2018, Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders — Design, construction and installation
• Published: 18 April 2018
• Prepared by: Committee SF-013, Platforms, Gangways, Stairways and Ladders (Standards Australia)
• Approved: 22 February 2018
• Source: Licensed copy, text extracted from standards document
• Extraction method: Full text extracted with page headers, footers and copyright notices removed
• Previous edition: AS 1657:2013

Note: This skill covers AS 1657:2018 only. For access to buildings covered by the National Construction Code (NCC), refer to NCC requirements. For scaffolding, refer to AS 4576. For temporary access using portable ladders, refer to AS 1892.1. For fall-arrest systems, refer to AS/NZS 1891. For WHS legislative requirements, consult the relevant WHS Act and Regulations for your jurisdiction.