Materials
Plastics - Materials for the Future
Plastics are one of the most resource efficient and versatile materials available to society and make a significant contribution to achieving the goals of sustainable development.
Products made from plastics provide an affordable alternative to traditional materials and give the community access to a higher standard of living, healthcare and information.
Importantly the plastics industry helps to save resources, fossil fuel and energy. Plastic products also save water and preserve food. Plastics only consume a small fraction of the world’s oil as feedstock – just 4%.
Plastics are too valuable to waste and this includes end of life. After serving a useful purpose, plastics can either be recycled or used as an alternative fuel. Plastic waste has a calorific value at least equal to coal and with lower CO2 emissions.
A Fully Tested Alternative to Steel
Potential users need to know a), that the design of the ADD-A-STEP™ ladder enables it to meet stringent performance criteria, and b), that production of the ladder modules is quality-controlled.
Before approving the ADD-A-STEP™ ladder, Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) set a number of special performance criteria which the novel plastic ladder would have to meet. (Note that steel ladders were in use long before any such testing criteria were established). The ADD-A-STEP™ ladder passed all tests.
Raw materials used in the production of the ladder are sourced only from suppliers who guarantee their compliance with tight standards, and the injection moulding process used to form the modules is computer-controlled to narrow tolerances.
A colour-coding convention is adopted to ensure the correct marriage of ladder-type to application.
Industrial Steps & Ladders is a Quality Assured Supplier. The quality manual and procedures are audited annually and certified by the Western Australian office of Bureau Veritas Quality International.
AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 Quality management systems - Requirements