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STANDARDS ALERT

Tuesday, 19 July 2011 AS1657—1992 FIXED PLATFORMS, WALKWAYS, STAIRWAYS AND LADDERS— DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION The purpose of this Standards Alert is to clarify interpretation of specific requirements for rung ladders in Clause 5.6 of AS 1657—1992 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—Design, construction and installation. The Standard requires that the nominal spacing between rungs falls within a specified range. The rungs shall be spaced not less than 250mm nor greater than 300mm apart, except that ladders having a length of less than 1.5m may have spacings closer than 250mm but not less than 200mm [Clause 5.6.6.2] The Standard requires that the distance between rungs in the same ladder is uniform within a given tolerance. The rung dimensions of all rungs and the distance between rungs in the same ladder shall be uniform and within a tolerance of +/- 5mm [Clause 5.6.6.3] Technical Committee SF-013 confirms the requirements of the Standard and confirms that there no additional provisions in the Standard or otherwise which relate specifically to the bottom rung of the ladder and its distance from the ground. Users must take care to ensure that the rung ladder is safe to use in the circumstances in which it is installed. For technical advice on the design, construction and installation of a rung ladder to ensure compliance with the Standard and for advice on rung ladder safety, please contact a technical expert. Standards Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, recognised by the Australian Government as the peak non-government Standards body in Australia. Standards Australia develops internationally aligned Australian Standards® that deliver Net Benefit to Australia and is the Australian member of ISO and IEC www.standards.org.au. Standards Australia is the Principal Sponsor of the Australian International Design Awards www.designawards.com.au