Mezzanine Safety Compliance: Why Sliding Gates Fail and Rollover Gates Win

Mezzanine floors are quite common, particularly in commercial and industrial settings where maximising space is crucial.   They are essentially a free-standing, additional level within a building, offering extra usable area without expanding the building’s footprint.

In warehouse environments, mezzanine floors are invaluable tool for optimising space.  However, they also present significant fall hazards, especially during loading and unloading operations.  

Ensuring the safety of workers on these elevated platforms is not just best practice, it is a legal obligation under Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations.  The choice of safety gates plays a crucial role in mitigating these risks.

The Pitfalls of Sliding Gates

Sliding gates are commonly used due to their space-saving design.  However, they have inherent safety limitations:

Manual Operation Risks: Sliding gates require manual opening and closing, increasing the likelihood of human error.  If left open, they expose workers to unprotected edges.

Limited Width: Typically restricted to openings of 1.5 meters, sliding gates may not accommodate larger pallets, leading to unsafe workarounds.  

Maintenance Challenges: Over time, sliding mechanisms can become obstructed by debris or wear, compromising their functionality and safety.

These factors contribute to a higher risk of falls and non-compliance with safety standards and codes of practice.

The Advantages of Rollover Gates

Rollover or pivot gates offer a safer and more compliant alternative.

Continuous Edge Protection

 Designed to always maintain a barrier, rollover gates eliminate the risk of open edges during loading and unloading

Ease of Use

Their balanced design allows for smooth operation, reducing the physical strain on workers and minimising the chance of misuse

Compliance with Regulations

 Rollover gates meet the requirements set by SafeWork NSW for fall prevention on mezzanine floors, helping businesses avoid fines and ensure worker safety.

Regulatory Compliance and Legal Implications

Under the WHS Act 2011, businesses are obligated to provide a safe working environment, which includes implementing measures to prevent falls from heights. SafeWork NSW has emphasised the importance of appropriate safety barriers on mezzanine floors, stating that gaps in guard rails used for loading and unloading must be guarded by gates or removable handrails that can be safely removed and replaced.

In addition to WHS legislation, the Australian Standard AS 1657:2018 sets out specific design and installation requirements for fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—including mezzanine edge protection. This includes the requirement for toe boards (kickplates) to prevent tools or objects from falling off the edge, particularly in areas where people may be working below.

Failure to comply with these WHS regulations and Australian Standards can result in significant penalties. SafeWork NSW has issued fines up to $3,600 for businesses that neglect to ensure the safety of industrial gates, highlighting the serious consequences of non-compliance.

Conclusion

Selecting the right type of gate for mezzanine areas is a critical control measure, one that directly impacts worker safety and compliance with WHS regulations. 

Sliding gates, although common, present significant risks.  Their effectiveness depends heavily on operator behaviour and when left open or poorly maintained, they expose workers to serious fall hazards.  Add in the wear and tear from forklift traffic and pallet movement, results with a weak point in the safety system.

Rollover gates offer a far more robust and compliant solution.  They provide continuous edge protection throughout the entire loading and unloading process, removing the risk of an exposed fall zone.  Their balanced, easy-to-operate mechanism minimises manual handling risks and ensures consistent safety performance regardless of the user. 

For businesses committed to preventing falls from height and meeting WHS duties, rollover gates are not just a better option, they are the safer one.

Don’t wait for a near miss to force action.  Take a proactive stance.

• Audit your space
• Identify your risk zones
• Install protection where it matters
• Document your action plan for WHS compliance

Need expert advice to meet your WHS obligations?  Click Here to get in touch with us for a safety audit and compliance assessment!