Access control and occupational health & safety: what are the requirements for safe passageways?
Access control is more than keeping unauthorised people out: occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation sets concrete requirements for the safety of passageways in every workplace. Anyone responsible for an office, distribution centre or construction site will encounter rules about emergency exits, maximum occupancy and the separation of hazardous zones. A well-designed access control system helps you meet those requirements directly and secure the safety of your location.
Want to know which OHS requirements apply to passageways and how to put them into practice? Read on and discover how access control makes your workplace demonstrably safer.
What does OHS legislation say about access control?
OHS legislation requires employers to provide a safe workplace. This includes clearly marked and unobstructed emergency exits, controlled access to hazardous zones and insight into who is present on a site at any given time. Access control is not an optional measure within this framework — it is a concrete means of fulfilling that legal duty of care.
Specifically, OHS legislation states that emergency exits must always be freely accessible, that unauthorised persons must not be able to enter spaces containing hazardous substances or machinery, and that in the event of an incident it must be immediately clear how many people are inside a building. Turnstile doors, speed gates and barriers play a direct role in this: they register who enters, keep unauthorised persons out and, when correctly configured, always provide a free exit. Access control that meets OHS requirements therefore starts with choosing the right system.
Which passageways fall under OHS requirements?
Not every passageway in a building falls under the same OHS rules. The requirements depend on the type of location, the activities taking place there and the number of people using the passageway each day. It is therefore useful to assess which requirements apply on a per-passageway basis.
The following passageway types typically face specific OHS requirements in the area of access control:
- Main entrances and public-facing access points:Â at offices, factories and sports facilities: requirements here cover the registration of those present and the separation of visitors and staff.
- Access to hazardous zones:Â such as machine rooms, storage areas for dangerous substances or high-voltage areas: unauthorised persons must not be admitted and access control is legally required.
- Emergency exits and escape routes:Â these must always be openable in a single movement in the direction of escape, even when a turnstile door or speed gate has been installed.
- Construction site entrances:Â OHS legislation requires construction sites to be closed to unauthorised persons, with controlled access for workers and suppliers.
How does access control contribute to OHS compliance?
Access control contributes to OHS compliance in three direct ways: it restricts entry to hazardous zones, it provides insight into the presence of persons on site and it enables an orderly evacuation. These three elements recur in the risk assessment that OHS legislation requires of every employer.
A turnstile door or speed gate with a counting point gives an accurate picture of the number of people present at any moment. This is not only useful during a fire drill: it is a direct requirement where safety regulations prescribe a maximum occupancy, such as in distribution centres or factories with limited escape routes. Full-height turnstile doors also prevent unauthorised persons from slipping through, which demonstrably fulfils the employer's duty of care. At Geran Access Products, we supply systems configured to release automatically in the event of a power failure or fire alarm, so the escape route is always clear. With 30 years of experience in access solutions, we also advise on the technical documentation you may need for an OHS inspection.
Which access control systems meet OHS standards?
OHS legislation does not prescribe a specific brand or type of access system, but it does set functional requirements that a system must meet. The right choice depends on the location, the expected number of users and the required level of security.
At Geran Access Products, we offer the following systems that align with common OHS requirements:
Turnstile doors
Controlled and secure pedestrian access
- Fast delivery from stock
- Robust and suitable for intensive use
- Easy to integrate with access control systems
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Speed gates
Stylish access control for every business entrance
- Prevents unauthorised access
- Fast and comfortable flow
- Modern and representative design
- Easy to integrate with access control systems
Tripod turnstiles
The ideal solution for fast and cost-effective access control
- Fast delivery from stock
- Robust and suitable for intensive use
- Easy to integrate with access control systems
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Access gates
Compact solutions for controlled access
- Always have an overview of present visitors
- Fast and efficient visitor registration
- Professional and modern entrance
- Seamless integration with any access control
Barriers
Smart barrier solutions for vehicle access control
- Suitable for various payment methods
- Seamless integration with any access control system
- Robust and reliable solution for intensive daily use
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Temporary access
The smart solution for fast and safe visitor registration
- Quick to install on base plate or in container
- Seamless integration with any access control
- Ready for immediate deployment
- Available from stock
Having access control installed: how to go about it
A good access control system starts with the right preparation. Together with you, we map out the location: which passageways require securing, how many people use them each day and which zones are restricted to authorised personnel only? This allows us to select the system that precisely matches what your location needs.
We handle the full process: preparation, technical drawings, transport, installation and commissioning. All installed systems come with a 5-year warranty, giving you the confidence that they will perform reliably for years to come. Get in touch for no-obligation advice on access control that meets the OHS requirements for your location.
Need advice or request a quote directly?
Would you like to know which access solution best fits your situation? Or are you looking for a concrete price indication for your project? Geran Access Products is happy to think along with you and translates your requirements into a practical and reliable solution.
Request a quote and receive a proposal that is fully tailored to your location, use, and required security level. Prefer to get advice first? Feel free to Contact us, we will help you quickly and effectively.
Frequently asked questions
OHS legislation requires employers to provide a safe workplace, which includes ensuring that hazardous zones are only accessible to authorised persons and that escape routes are always clear. Access control is a concrete means of meeting those obligations. Whether a specific type of system is required depends on the risk assessment carried out for the particular workplace. If in doubt, an OHS specialist can advise on which measures are necessary for your location.
A turnstile door or speed gate may be installed at an entrance that also serves as an emergency exit, provided the system releases automatically in the event of an incident. This means it must unlock immediately upon a fire alarm or power failure and provide a clear passage in the direction of escape. The systems we supply meet this requirement as standard and this is documented in the installation file.
For construction sites, temporary access control is the appropriate solution. Our systems can be mounted on a base plate or placed in a container, making them immediately deployable without permanent structural modifications. They meet the OHS requirement that construction sites must be closed to unauthorised persons. Thanks to our large stock, a temporary access system can be delivered quickly, even for short-term projects.
Turnstile doors and speed gates can be linked to access control software that tracks who enters and leaves the site. This provides real-time insight into the presence of employees and visitors, which is immediately available to emergency response teams in the event of an incident. During installation, we advise on the software integration that best fits your existing systems.
The cost of an OHS-compliant access control system depends on the type of system, the number of passageways and the desired integration with existing software or security systems. We always draw up a tailored quote following an assessment of the location, so you know the investment in advance. Get in touch for a no-obligation quote.