A ladder is a ladder is a ladder, isn’t it? Any good ladder company will tell you that this is actually completely untrue. There are numerous different types of ladders out there, each with their own applications and pros and cons. It is incredibly important that you choose the correct letter for your needs, which you can do by having a conversation with the sales people about what you will be using it for and what your own capabilities are.
How a Ladder Company Can Help
Ladders are quite dangerous items because they involve working at height. This is why it is so important that you choose one that is right for the job at hand. If your ladder is the wrong height, for instance because it is too short, you place yourself in considerable danger. However, a ladder that is too tall can be equally dangerous if your job is not as high. You must be able to complete the job with comfort, which means you shouldn’t have to overreach, be that upwards, downwards, or sideways. You should look at the type of ladder, what it’s working height is, and what the maximum working load is as well.
A Step by Step Approach
When you visit a lot of company with a request for a new ladder, they should go through a step-by-step application to help you choose the right one. As such:
- Determine the correct height of ladder that you need. Usually, a safe working height is 1.75 m above the maximum height that is allowed for climbing or standing.
- Determine the type of application. If you need a ladder for a commercial job, you have to make sure that it is rated for industrial standards and can carry at least 130 kg. However, if you need one for at home, then a domestic leather ladder is more than enough and these tend to have a load rating of up to 95 kg.
- Determine the style that you like. All ladders have been designed to ensure you can climb and stand in a productive and safe manner. However, all the different models also have their own limitations and if you ignored us, there is a chance that you will fall and become seriously injured. Each style has a specific purpose and your ladder company should help you determine which one you need.
- Determine the most appropriate material. A lot of ladders are now made of fiberglass or aluminum but there are also wood ladders and other materials, each with their own pros and cons. For instance, if you intend to work around any type of electricity, you will have to have a fiberglass ladder. That is because they are non conductive and will protect you from electrical shocks. Aluminum ladders are often preferred because the fact that they are so lightweight but they are an absolute no no when working with electrics.
Always make sure you work with the right ladder in the right way!
