Sales Supervisor

SEQ Formwork’s recent multi-storey tower project required continuous, stretcher-compliant stair access throughout construction, with minimal labour — especially as the central jump-form core progressed upward. Traditional scaffold stairs were not ideal due to their limited flexibility, labour demands, and sub-optimal stretcher clearance. Solution SEQ Formwork implemented the SmartStairs system from SafeSmart Access, integrating it directly with the core jump form. As construction climbed, stretcher-width SmartStairs modules were inserted progressively between the base and the rising structure, creating a cassette-like system. Each new module was slotted in at the bottom and tied securely to the jump form above, maintaining a consistent, fully compliant stairway for personnel and emergency-stretcher evacuation at every level. To ensure uninterrupted access — even where structural or formwork gaps appeared — SEQ also deployed stretcher-wide AdjustaStairs. These modular units provided safe, level transitions between stair modules or platforms, adapting instantly to changes in height or terrain during the build. Result The combination of SmartStairs and AdjustaStairs gave SEQ Formwork continuous, stretcher-compliant, and efficient stair access from the ground to the uppermost working level at all times. This reduced reliance on hoists, minimised downtime, and kept trades moving without delay. The modular design cut labour costs, eliminated repeated dismantling, and improved safety outcomes by ensuring a consistent access solution that adapted in real time to construction progress while meeting stretcher-width requirements mandated by Australian standards. By applying an innovative, stretcher-compliant modular stair system to the jump-form structure, SEQ Formwork streamlined vertical mobility and set a benchmark for safe, efficient access on complex tower builds.

Maintaining a C-17A Globemaster III is no small task. These aircraft are enormous, complex, and absolutely essential to military logistics operations. Keeping them in peak condition means maintaining their engines efficiently and safely—something that, until recently, was more cumbersome than it needed to be. At RAAF Base Amberley, the process for servicing C-17A engines had long involved a maintenance stand system that was known to be outdated. It required four separate jacks, multiple operators, and a fair amount of time just to set things up. Adjustments were slow and repetitive and left plenty of room for inefficiencies and user error. So, Defence Australia and Boeing Defence Australia, working with SafeSmart, set out to modernise the system—making it safer, easier, and more effective. Identifying the Problem The primary challenge was clear: engine maintenance was taking longer than it should. The old stands supplied by the aircraft manufacturer weren’t just inefficient; they also introduced safety concerns, requiring careful manoeuvring and multiple hands on deck to position the behemoth. Not exactly a model of efficiency. A new stand was needed that could fulfil all the tasks the old one was capable of, including: Work for both inboard and outboard engines Be adaptable to accommodate ladders and smaller platforms Meet strict safety regulations. This wasn’t just about making life easier for maintenance crews—it was about ensuring safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. The goal was clear: make something that was faster, safer, and didn’t require an entire committee just to set up. From Lumbering Behemoth to Nimble Giant The new C-17A maintenance stand ditched the manual jack setup and introduced electronic actuators across the board. With a simple push of a button, a single operator could adjust the height. No more endless cranking, no more synchronising four different jacks. Just press, adjust, and get on

Why CEA Looked for a Change Traditional ladders and makeshift platforms had begun to slow routine maintenance and invite unnecessary risk. CEA wanted a solution that reduced set‑up time and let technicians work at height with genuine confidence. CEA adopted a six‑step BridgeDeck fitted with a 900 mm adjustment pack, giving a working‑height range from 1.7 m to 2.6 m. A 2.5 m bridge span lets staff walk directly over machinery into the service area instead of leaning or climbing around it. Bottom‑Line Impact Time saved: Faster transitions between jobs translate into more productive hours each week. Less downtime: Stable footing means fewer dropped tools and fewer injuries. Morale boost: Technicians prefer equipment that helps them, not hinders them. BridgeDeck turns access equipment from a necessary evil into a productivity tool. For workshops still juggling ladders and scaffold frames, replacing them with a single, height‑adjustable platform is a straightforward win—safer for the team and smarter for the business.