When it comes to industrial flooring, safety and performance aren't optional—they're essential. That’s why choosing the right grating and walkway systems for your project means more than just comparing materials and prices. In Australia and New Zealand, there are specific standards that guide the design, manufacture, and installation of industrial grating to ensure reliability, safety, and compliance.
At Webforge, we design and manufacture our grating and walkway products in line with these national standards, ensuring they’re fit for purpose in even the most demanding industrial environments.
In this article, we break down the key Australian and New Zealand Standards that govern industrial grating and walkways—and why they matter for your project.
What Are Australian Standards?
Australian Standards are documents developed by Standards Australia that outline specifications and procedures to ensure products and services are safe, reliable, and consistently perform as intended. They are crucial in industries such as mining, construction, oil & gas, and manufacturing—where worker safety and infrastructure durability are paramount.
Standards for Grating and Walkways
AS/NZ 1657:2018 – Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders
This is the primary standard governing access systems like platforms and walkways in industrial settings.
It covers:
- Minimum design loads
- Walkway slope limits (max 10°)
- Handrail and toeboard requirements
- Slip resistance standards
- Clearances and safe access design
Why it matters: AS 1657 ensures that any fixed access structure is designed to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Webforge’s grating panels, Monowills barriers, are engineered to meet or exceed these guidelines.
AS/NZS 1170.1 – Structural Design Actions
This standard specifies loading requirements for structures, including live loads, dead loads, and impact loads. It’s essential for ensuring the grating can handle expected weights—whether it's foot traffic, heavy equipment, or environmental loads.
Webforge grating is available in a range of load-bearing capacities and panel types, designed using the data tables in compliance with AS/NZS 1170.1.
AS/NZS 4586 – Slip Resistance Classification
Slip resistance is critical in high-risk environments like oil rigs, mining sites, and food processing plants.
This standard classifies slip resistance using:
- Wet pendulum tests (Dry/Wet use)
- Oil wet ramp tests (for barefoot or work boot traffic)
- Dry floor friction tests
Webforge’s serrated or slip-resistant grating options meet or exceed these standards, especially when slip risk is high.
Webforge Products Built for Compliance
Webforge offers a comprehensive range of industrial flooring and barrier solutions, including:
Whether you're upgrading existing infrastructure or planning a new project, our team is here to help ensure your walkways and platforms meet all relevant Australian and New Zealand Standards—without compromising on performance or cost-efficiency.
Get in touch with our team today for more information.