Galvanising is a manufacturing process of coating a piece of metal — in this case, gridwalk mesh — in zinc to prevent rusting and offer more protection against wear and tear. We apply the galvanisation process to steel and aluminium products to ensure longevity and fewer maintenance requirements.
A gridwalk allows for such a process to align with not only Australian standards, but keep pedestrians safe. Let's dive into what gridwalk is, and how galvanised expanded metal is your safety solution.
Work with confidence with a galvanised steel gridwalk platform.
What is gridwalk mesh?
Gridwalk mesh is an expanded metal product designed to provide added slip resistance to a surface. Its diamond-shaped pattern is made so work shoes, snow boots or other types of work footwear can grip it as an individual walks across its surface.
The holes in the flooring are capable of sifting liquids through for better slip resistance, while ensuring nothing larger than a marble can fall through to lower levels. This is especially helpful to avoid unnecessary injury to anyone walking on the floor below, should something ever drop or fall.
Safety standards associated with gridwalk mesh
Slip resistance and preventing falling objects from hitting workers is a safety quality outlined in the AS 1657. This standard ensures that fixed platforms, ladders, walkways and stairs are built with the necessary materials for workplace protection.
In 2018, AS enacted AS 1657 to ensure any object wider than 15 millimetres could not pass through the holes of a fixed platform. This also applies to falling or slipping on the job or in a public area where weather conditions like rain or snow could affect the safety quality of a space.
Galvanising the expanded metal aligns with such standards as it prevents weaknesses in a walkway, stairway or path due to overexposure to extreme weather conditions. While galvanising doesn't necessarily improve the strength of the metal products, implementing steel or aluminium — otherwise durable and strong metals — does help in increasing its vitality.
Where you can use gridwalk mesh
Workplaces aren't the only spaces you can use galvanised expanded metal mesh.
If you've ever gone to an alpine ski resort, most of the platforms in the area use gridwalk mesh for their stairs and platforms. The slip resistance it provides is a major factor, but the snow also has a chance to fall through to the bottom. This lowers the maintenance costs of keeping spaces clear for adventure-seekers.
It can also be used for roofing needs where maintenance is a constant necessity. Gridwalk mesh allows workers to safely access the roof and walk across to ensure that there is a reduced risk of unnecessary workplace injury. It can also build workers' confidence walking on such surfaces.
Other applications include construction sites that may be exposed to harsh weather conditions, like a seaside barge or a power station, but also comes in contact with slippery liquids.
Webforge is your metal safety solution provider
Whether galvanised or untreated, we have several types of expanded metal mesh you can work with for your next project. You can choose how wide the openings are depending on your needs from our shelf stock or even customise your order.
We also offer gripwalk, which is a modification to gridwalk, with a raised protrusion on the knuckle for improved grip.
All of our metal products are sourced from Australian and New Zealand suppliers so you can trust in the quality of your metal panel. For more information, call a Webforge expanded metal professional today.