Australian Standards
What are the Australian Standards?
Australian Standards are voluntary documents that set out specifications, procedures and guidelines that aim to ensure products, services and systems are safe, consistent and reliable. To keep pace with new technologies, standards are regularly reviewed by Standards Australian technical committees.
In Australia the standard for ladders is AS1892. Australian Standards for Ladders are considered to be the toughest in the world … and they need to be. When it comes to ladders … SAFETY IS IMPORTANT … and no compromise can or should be made. Numerous tests are undertaken to ensure that the Bailey ladder is STRONG, STABLE and SAFE.
Which ‘Ladder’ Standards do I need to know about?
In 2018 the Australian Standard for ladders was updated and is now AS1892. The standard was updated to include reinforced plastic ladder, work platforms, step stools and “higher stability” ladders. Test methods have been updated and tightened to ensure ladders that comply with AS1892 are some of the safest in the world.
Why do we need Standards for ladders?
Many reasons exist as to why we 'need' Australian & New Zealand Standards for ladders... here's a quick summary:
1. To protect ladder users from injury and harm.
2. To provide a benchmark for the manufacture of STRONG, STABLE and SAFE ladders.
What do we (staff, customers, ladder users) need to know?
Essentially, you need the assurance that the ladders you are either using, selling or recommending:
1. Meet the Australian Standards (AS1892).
2. Have been manufactured from quality materials under strict guidelines.
3. Are safe to use, will perform as intended and not buckle, twist or break when used correctly.
NB: A simple statement from a manufacturer or importer is sometimes not enough.
How do I know if a product really does meet the Australian Standards?
Sadly, there are ladders available on the market which claim to meet the Australian Standards, but don’t. Your best solution is to use and recommend a 'reputable' ladder manufacturer. WernerCo is the largest ladder manufacturer in the world and all ladders are manufactured to the highest quality in WernerCo’s worldwide strategic manufacturing network. When you choose or recommend a Bailey® ladder, your decision is supported by industry professionals, trades people and thousands of others who insist on premium quality and superior ladder products.