How BridgeClimb Sydney is setting new standards for safety

You haven’t seen Sydney until you’ve stood 134 metres on top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since 1998, BridgeClimb Sydney has welcomed more than 4 million people from over 140 nations to climb Australia’s famous arches and witness the most spectacular 360° views of Sydney — a truly unforgettable Australian experience.

As Climbers take in the breathtaking views at the Summit of the Harbour Bridge, they can be assured that their welfare is the top priority thanks to BridgeClimb Sydney’s relentless focus on safety and the support of Australian Standards, international standards, and other publications.

Standards are integrated into a large span of BridgeClimb Sydney’s operations, ranging from the maintenance of the infrastructure they depend on, the design and use of safety protocols, and the selection of equipment they use.

By integrating standards into their operations, BridgeClimb Sydney can draw upon extensive knowledge and expertise about how to operate safely and effectively.

And just as important as what standards are used, is how they are used.

For a long time, BridgeClimb Sydney accessed the relevant standards the traditional way — printed copies or PDFs stored on various devices.

Now, a new digital subscription service from the Standards Australia Store (Store) has revolutionised the way that standards are managed and accessed.

Flexible access through a customised, multi-user standards package

The new digital subscription service, known as ‘Custom Subscription’, means BridgeClimb Sydney has been able to customise a standards package that contains the exact number of publications it requires and grant access to them for a specified number of users.

“It’s a completely tailored solution, so customers choose the standards and number of users relevant to them,” says Standards Australia’s Head of eCommerce — Anna Vuong. “Each package aims to meet the unique requirements of how individual businesses use standards.”

In times gone by, the primary way users would obtain standards was to purchase them individually as printed copies or as PDFs, which were viewable on select devices.

In the case of BridgeClimb Sydney, their Custom Subscription means all of the latest versions of the standards they require are accessed online from the one platform, with users able to view them on laptops, iPads or mobiles.

Purchasing single PDFs would also mean that if there was a revision to a standard, users could be left with an outdated version. A Custom Subscription provides automatic updates to standards, meaning users always have access to the latest versions.

New opportunities

The move to the Custom Subscription comes at a critical time for BridgeClimb Sydney as work is underway on the biggest modification to the Bridge since its opening in 1932. The four gantries that allow maintenance crews to reach key parts of the Bridge are being replaced by two larger, more flexible units that will make upkeep much easier.

As climbing routes are adjusted and new pathways emerge on the northern span, BridgeClimb Sydney must adapt swiftly. Simon Pitkethley, the Head of Safety, Sustainability, and Critical Infrastructure, recognises the role of standards and views the adoption of a Custom Subscription as a fundamental response to evolving requirements.

“Standards hold immense importance for us, serving as vital reference tools,” he explains. “Consolidating them in one location streamlines our processes significantly. Previously, we managed standards through disparate printed and electronic versions, but this approach is much simpler and cohesive.”

Collaborative features

The new offering also changes the way people use and access standards.

“The platform not only provides a new way to access the standards that a user might need to reference, but users can also share notes and make bookmarks,” Vuong explains. “It means these features can help teams collaborate to help improve alignment, efficiency and productivity.”

The alterations to the Sydney Harbour Bridge will mean even more people get to savour an unforgettable experience. But the increase in numbers won’t faze BridgeClimb Sydney as it looks to the future with its many standards organised in one place as safety remaining its absolute priority.

Learn more about the benefits a Custom Subscription Service from the Standards Australia Store can deliver to your business.