As it is with any off-ground structure, safety is always a primary concern for mezzanine construction.
And if you're planning a mezzanine installation at work or home, this information could be valuable. In extreme cases, it could save a life.
Workplace Safety
A scary fact is that a large percentage of Australian mezzanines aren't safe—for the simple fact that they lack necessary adjustments and accessories that aren't in-line with a specific building code.
Often only a few centimetres below regulation height or a disregarding a thorough inspection before declaring the project finished could spell the difference between perfectly sound and disaster, but that's the reality any infrastructure.
It's exactly why building codes and guidelines were created.
Should someone get hurt on your premises, they may file a complaint with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). This could result in a thorough investigation of your current work environment and may, in the worst-case scenario, end in hefty fines and fees for you.
Active & Passive Fall Protection
To create a genuinely secure mezzanine installation, you need to implement both active and passive safety measures for your mezzanine.
Passive safety measures refer to accessories, expansions, and adaptations done to your mezzanine to ensure people don't fall regardless of where, when, or how they use the mezzanine. For example safety rails, pallet gates, load-bearing walls, handrails, kickboards, support beams, etc.
Active safety measures refer to actions, procedures, or specific steps to consistently lower the health risks and minimise workplace hazards.
For instance:
Working With Professionals
At Queensland Mezzanines we guarantee our work, starting with initial site inspection and installation that includes providing safety expansions and adaptations to suit specified safety standards for the building and/or work environment. We offer our clients all viable options to help them actively and passively prevent misfortunes
In some cases, we can even fix or reinstall mezzanines that were haphazardly and unsafely constructed!
We firmly believe that workplace safety is not something anyone can take lightly, regardless of how high or low they feel their mezzanine is.
Safety gates, guard rails, exact measurements, and regular site inspections are just some of the things we do to minimise risk factors and potential accidents as much as possible.
If you feel like your mezzanine or raised office is unsafe – or you'd like to verify that it's up to industry-standard – please do give us a call! Unlike other companies, we don't subcontract our installers or outsource third-party agencies. We believe that the only way to ensure quality, efficiency, and safety is to handle 100% of our operations.
All Queensland Mezzanines projects are done in accordance with current and updated safety procedures and Australia building codes. Visit www.queenslandmezzanines.com.au to get a free quote and start your installation project today!
