Ladders are indispensable tools for everyday use, both at home and at work. Therefore, we always rely on them when we cannot reach a certain height by ourselves. The market offers a wide variety of ladders, ranging from stepladders to leaning ladders, including telescopic ladders or extending ladders and more. However, with this multitude of ladder types, how do we know which one is the best for us? At KTL-Ladders, we have created a guide to understand what factors we should consider when choosing the ladder that best suits our needs.
Working height and reachable height
When choosing a ladder, height is one of the first points to consider. Therefore, the first question we should ask ourselves is how high we want to reach to perform our tasks easily, comfortably, and safely.
The working height refers to the height we reach once we are standing on the ladder’s platform. On the other hand, ladder manufacturers provide information related to the reachable height, which indicates the height a worker can reach in the working position if they stretch.
So, when we want to acquire a new ladder, should we base our decision on the working height or the reachable height? At KTL-Ladders, we believe that if the worker is going to perform a task while carrying materials, it is advisable to pay more attention to the working height. Otherwise, they might end up working in uncomfortable, complicated, and strenuous positions that can cause injuries. Therefore, the ladder size should always be chosen so that the user can comfortably reach the maximum working height from the platform, avoiding poor postures that can lead to harm or imbalance, resulting in falls with much more severe consequences.
Number of steps
Once we have established the height at which we are going to work, it is important to choose the number of steps for our ladder, which can range from three to eighteen steps in some models. At this point, it is important to remember that not all steps can be used on some types of ladders.
For example, if you choose a stepladder that can be accessed from both sides, you must remember not to climb higher than the third step from the top to avoid losing stability and to ensure sufficient support while working. If your option is a stepladder with an extension section, it is not permitted to work above the fifth step from the top.
Weight capacity of the ladder
Once on the ladder, to feel more secure, we like to notice its resistance, firmness, and stability to avoid any scares. For this reason, when choosing the perfect ladder, you should verify that it complies with the European Standard EN 131, which requires that ladders support a maximum weight of 150 kg. However, if you are a corpulent person, you should ensure that the sum of your weight and the tools you will be working with at height does not exceed the weight limit specified by the EN 131 Standard.
KTL-Ladders offers solutions tailored to customer needs. At KTL-Ladders, we manufacture effective, safe, and innovative products to a higher level.
