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Choosing Ladders


Product Suitability (fit for purpose)
The type of product you use depends on the purpose for which it is intended to be used. The increasing impetus on regulations means that it is unacceptable to be using inappropriate equipment. Legal proceedings may be applied by the Health and Safety Executive if the regulations are not adhered to.



DIY: This product is only suitable for occasional use around the domestic home. Please check the duty rating to ensure the product meets the necessary loadings. A DIY product is not suitable for use by a tradesman.

Trade: If you are selecting an access product as a tool for your work, this product will be sufficient for general-purpose applications. The product is designed to withstand day-to-day use and the wear and tear of trade conditions. Please check the duty rating to ensure the product meets the necessary loadings.

Industrial: Where the product is to be used in extreme conditions where weight, environment or frequency demands the most solid equipment, then an ‘Industrial’ rated product should be suitable. This type of product is also suitable for use within a rental fleet. Please check the duty rating to ensure the product meets the necessary loadings.

 

WHICH TYPE OF LADDER PRODUCT SHOULD I USE?
To determine the best and safest type of product to use there are a number of factors to take into account.
● Nature of task (what type of use is required).
● Safe working height (maximum working height required without overstretching).
● Duration of task (how long you are expecting to be working on the access product).
● Frequency of use (how often the product will be used).
● Weight the product will need to carry, including the weight of the person and relevant tools (also referred to as Duty Rating).
● Site conditions at ground level.

 

STEP LADDERS/EXTENSION LADDERS
BS2037 Class 3: Duty Rating 95kg (15 stone)
BS2037 Class 3 is the lightest UK duty category. These ladders and steps are built for occasional use around the home. They are NOT designed for Trade and Industrial use. Using them in these circumstances contravenes the Health& Safety Regulations. Insurance companies often state that using domestic ladders and steps for commercial work will invalidate claims for personal injury.

BS EN131: Duty Rating 110kg (17.3 stone) Max Safe Working Load 150kg (23.5 stone)
BS2037 Class 2 is now replaced by the European-wide EN131. This is a European-wide recognised standard. You may note other letters prefixing EN131, which is to highlight the country or test house where the product was approved. However, all certifications are the same.

Manufacturers often subdivide this standard into several unofficial strength categories from light duty to heavy duty and produce ranges of ladders and steps of the same general design in each category. All, however, will be of EN131 standard.

BS2037 Class 1: Duty Rating 130kg (20.5 stone)
BS2037 Class 1 is the strongest UK category. These ladders and steps are built for the most rugged and frequent use.

TERMS

DUTY RATING
When selecting a piece of access equipment the weight of the user, the tools and materials that will be applied to the product must be calculated. Movement up or down a product creates additional load. However, you would be unable to calculate what this is therefore the Duty Rating load takes this into account.

Maximum Static Load
This is the maximum certified static vertical load and only applies under test conditions. A safety factor is built into this.

Author - Neil Tomlinson
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