Edge Protection Systems / Containment

Edge Protection Solutions

Edge protection solutions that comply with Australian Standards and OH&S regulations. Working at height is an extremely high-risk activity. As per Safework Australia, it is recognised as a leading cause of death and serious injury in workplaces. Workers’ welfare is a critical concern at any construction or work site, where the risk of falls can threaten not only their safety but also the project’s timeline and profitability.

To mitigate these risks, adopting robust edge protection systems that comply with Australian Standards and OH&S regulations is essential. At SafeSmart Access, we understand these requirements and offer industry-leading solutions to enhance worksite safety effectively. Our range of edge protection systems have features that make our access solutions the best on the market, most important being that they comply with Australian Standards and OH&S regulations.

Edge Protection to Access All Areas

From safeguarding single-level buildings to protecting personnel on multi-storey constructions to edge protection around voids and shafts, SafeSmart Access’s broad selection of edge protection systems is engineered to provide exceptional protection across construction projects and commercial projects:

• Adaptapanel
• EasyRail
• King Klamp Railing System
• EasyDeck
• Portable Building Edge Protection
• Mini Mobile Edge Protection

When it comes to site safety, the Adaptapanel system stands as a robust and adaptable solution for temporary and semi-permanent slab edge protection. This system has been designed with the job site’s demanding conditions in mind, ensuring the long-term durability and stability of heavy-duty framed panels.

AdaptaPanel for Changing Workfaces

AdaptaPanel provides framed mesh protection at exposed slab edges. Where fixings are restricted, the AdaptaPanel Counterweight System offers another way to position the barrier. AdaptaPanel WorkThru has removable mesh and an overlapping sliding toeboard for work that needs planned access through a panel. The project team can choose the fixing method and workface arrangement before installation.

Posts Matched to the Structure

The structure determines how a guardrail can be fixed. Adjustable Face Mount Guardrail Posts and bolt-down Handrail Posts suit specified fixing arrangements. The NON-DRILL Handrail Post connects to suitable lifting anchors in precast concrete. For steelwork, I-Klamp clamps to compatible I-beams. The Sheet Pile Edge Protection Post clamps to sheet piles without drilling them. Select the post against the structure and its approved fixing detail.

Walkways Beside Exposed Edges

The Cantilevered Walkway Bracket can support a guarded walkway along a structure where access at the workface is limited. It works with tube and coupler components to form the route. The project design needs to establish suitable anchorage and the required walkway arrangement before installation.

Roof Work and Adjustable Rails

EasyDeck Packs bring together EasyRail edge protection, prefabricated platforms and support brackets for roof work, while also giving teams an alternative to some guardrail systems used on construction and residential roofing projects. SafeSmart also lists QuickRail Telescopic Edge Protection for projects considering an adjustable rail system; as a general installation benefit, runs can be completed at a rate of 1.5 metres per minute, which can suit roof guardrail and roof guardrail systems on fast-moving jobs. Confirm its fixing and configuration with the team when selecting it for a site.

Protection Around Vehicles and Rolling Stock

Dozer Track Handrails clamp to compatible tracks so maintenance teams have a guarded working area and help keep workers safe during maintenance tasks. For loading work, Truck Loading Edge Protection can be used with truck access platforms. The Truck Edge Protection Guardrail clips to a truck’s tie rail and can be repositioned along the tray. The Telescopic Chassis Clamping System addresses guardrail needs during haul truck maintenance. In a rail workshop, DoorGuard protects carriage door openings while work is underway.

Containing Falling Material on Construction Projects

Edge protection and debris containment solve different problems. Catch Netting uses net fans at scaffold and façade work areas where material may fall. Triple Layer Debris Netting provides containment for falling objects and finer debris. The containment method should match the material being handled and the area below the work.

Keeping Pedestrians on a Defined Route

Crowd Control Barriers can separate pedestrian movement from site activity and mark a temporary route. They serve a different purpose from a specified fall-protection guardrail at an exposed edge.

Discover Our Tailored Height and Roof Edge Protection Systems

Our range of edge protection systems not only meets industry standards; they’re also built with the end-user in mind, ensuring ease of use and dependability. Each solution we offer reflects our commitment to enhancing safety through practical safety solutions and robust construction methods. Throughout our selection, you’ll find options that facilitate quick assembly, provide exceptional stability, and integrate seamlessly with a myriad of work environments. We’ve developed our products to cater to the unique challenges faced on worksites, ensuring that you have access to the best possible protection against fall-related incidents. As worker safety remains paramount, SafeSmart Access takes pride in delivering edge protection systems that shield your team effectively. Our range of edge protection for sale is suited to a variety of uses and applications and can help improve site safety across different work environments. If you have any questions about finding the right height or roof edge protection for your site, our dedicated professionals are here to help you find the right solution every step of the way. Feel free to get in touch to elevate the safety standards of your worksite.

What is Temporary Edge Protection? 

Just as the name suggests, temporary edge protection systems are barriers that can be removed or reconfigured from the roof or live working edges at any point during a specific project. It is made up of physical barriers such as guardrails, mesh, and handrails, specially designed to prevent workers from falling from heights. Where there is a potential risk of falling more than two metres, temporary edge protection systems that consist of appropriate guard rails and toe boards will be required. These precautions are especially important for workers who are at risk of falling from heights. Ultimately, temporary edge protection systems act as a first line of defence against unwanted scenarios.

Why Use Temporary Edge Protection Systems? 

The most severe and fatal accidents can occur to anyone when working above ground level. Hence, physical barriers such as temporary edge protection systems are a leading countermeasure for preventing such accidents. The key benefits of using edge protection systems include:

• Edge protection systems are fairly straightforward to use and installation does not require specialist training.
• These barriers are versatile, which means they are not only easy to configure but also easy to maintain.
• Edge protection is cost-effective to buy.
• They prevent equipment and debris from falling off of heightened surfaces while protecting people.

Where Can Temporary Edge Protection Be Used? 

Most of the time, temporary edge protection systems are used when working from heights to mitigate the risk of falls. This is especially true if employees are working on or around the edges of roofs or on a residential project. However, edge protection systems, including scaffolding edge protection are applicable in a variety of situations. While not all buildings can accommodate edge protection systems, they are one of the safest and most cost-effective systems to install. The Safe Work Australia’s 2018 Code of Practice for managing the risk of falls at workplaces requires that all reasonable and practical measures be taken to prevent falls from one level to another, and temporary edge protection is a practical control measure used to do that. To determine what is considered reasonably practicable, a risk assessment should be carried out taking into account factors such as:

• The type of roof
• The height from ground level
• The type of work to be carried out
• The availability of suitable edge protection systems

It is ultimately up to the person conducting the work to determine whether temporary edge protection is a necessary precautionary measure to protect workers.

Is Temporary Edge Protection Mandatory? 

Yes, it is a mandatory requirement. Within the Australian construction industry, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death. The most severe fatal accidents have occurred when falling from as low as under four metres. Regardless of whether or not it’s a legal requirement, it is wise to install edge protection systems when working from heights. At SafeSmart Access, you will be able to find a complete range of edge protection systems for sale. Our range is designed to be adaptable to a multitude of applications, ensuring that they meet both regulatory requirements and your personal safety needs.

Potential Hazards from Working on Roofs 

Whether you’re an electrician or engineer, the primary risk associated with roof work is falling. However other potential hazards include:

• Debris falling from the working area. This presents a threat not only to the workers but also those below the roof.
• Fragile roof structure. An unstable roof line may collapse, leading to unplanned accidents.
• Roof access points that may be hazardous. This is where temporary access solutions like ladders become essential for safe access.

Where skylight fall risks are present, Pro-Vis Skylight Safety Mesh is engineered for roof structures.

Safe Working Practices with Edge Protection Systems

When utilising edge protection systems, the following safe work practices must be adhered to:

• Workers bear the responsibility of safely installing and appropriately utilising the system, which requires knowledge of the system components and the manufacturer’s instructions, to minimise risks.
• Employers must make sure that workers have sufficient knowledge and experience in utilising edge protection systems.
• Equipment and other materials should not be leaned against guardrail systems.
• Guardrails should not be used for any other purpose other than what they are intended for.
• Accumulated debris and waste material should be removed from the heightened area progressively.
• Debris should be strictly confined to the working platforms and is not allowed to fall from the specified area.
• Chutes should be utilised to get rid of debris. If not available, other appropriate means should be considered.
• Electrical equipment utilised for the system should be tagged with a recent inspection date.
• When operating near power lines, materials should be carried at a minimum distance of four metres away from the power lines.
• Since edge protection systems are made from steel and are electrically conductive, any faulty electrical equipment could result in a fatal injury.

Prioritise Workplace Safety with SafeSmart Access 

Improve safety for your worksite with SafeSmart Access today. Contact us for a consultation and quote to discover how our edge protection solutions are designed to protect workers across your projects.