Sydney Metro: How RISSafety Played a Key Role in its Installation

The opening of the North West Rapid Transit (NRT), the first stage of the Sydney Metro in May 2019 was an exciting time for Sydney-siders. After all, it was Australia’s biggest public transport project and an important infrastructure investment for the NSW Government. The NRT included 23 kms of new track and rail systems, converting 13kms of railway between Epping and Chatswood to metro status and building 8 brand new railway stations.

As part of this project, Axis Building Group was appointed for 6 new stations including:

• Cudgegong Station
• Bella Vista Station
• Norwest Station
• Cherrybrook Station
• Castle Hill Station
• Showground Station

With the building of new infrastructure, it’s important that height safety and access be considered in the initial design stage of the stations to ensure the best outcome and results. RISSafety was not the original safety systems provider specified in the tender brief. However, due to a long-standing relationship built due to our high quality and ability to own the whole process of manufacturing, supplying and installing safety systems for Axis Building Group, RISSafety was quickly appointed to the task.

David Hanson, NSW State Manager at Axis Building Group, stated “We have used RISSafety for over 15 years. There are quite a few companies who provide height safety solutions, but I get very good advice from RISsafety. I love that I can call and get an answer quickly. RISSafety is really reliable and very good compared to others on the market, and they are really easy to deal with.” David handles most of the procurement at Axis Building Group, and after 10 years of dealing directly with RISSafety himself, he says “We always use RISsafety. We always refer RISSafety to be used on projects and we don’t refer anyone else.”

RISsafety’s key benefit was time saving in the installation process. “Others manufacture the products then get sub-contractors to install. What I like about RISSafety is they design, manufacture and install their own product. It just gives me peace of mind that we get warranty and advice when we need it, from the same people who manufactured and installed the product”, David said.

RISSafety was appointed to provide all the height safety and confined access systems including:

• Handrails
• Walkways
• Step ladders
• Rail systems
• Steps
• Bridges
• Ladders
• Anchor points
• Harnesses
• PPE accessories

The NRT project went for about 24 months, longer than expected. Although it was a successful project overall, now linking the north-west suburbs of Sydney. In its first five months of operation, more than 11 million customer journeys have taken place in these new driverless trains. With such a high number of customers using the metro line, safety during installation was of the utmost importance.

Everything we do at RISSafety is underpinned by our values; Respect, Innovation, Solutions Oriented and Safety. We believe this contributes significantly towards our long-standing relationships with our customers, and our ability to solve any height safety related project. Whether it’s a new or existing project, we can custom design any requirement to suit your needs, across any site throughout Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia. Learn more about our services today.