Many workers take everyday tools like a rolling ladder for granted. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new rolling ladder for your warehouse, you want to make sure you’re choosing the right ladder to suit your needs by asking yourself a couple of questions.
Here are some tips that might help you:
Ladder Height
First, you need to define the required access by knowing what your needs and your space are. Once that has been determined, you’ll be able to choose the ladder that works best for you. You want to make sure that the top platform falls within 5 feet of the uppermost designated access point.
Ladder Width
Next, you need to find the right width for your space. There needs to be enough space to make your way up the ladder, which is why you need to select a ladder that has the proper width. Width helps decrease slight lateral motion from a variety of work conditions. You should consult a professional to help you find the necessary width you need for your ladder.
Portability of Ladder
Then, you need to figure out if the ladder needs to make tight corners or go through doorways. This is often overlooked, which is why this element is crucial in determining the ideal ladder for your work situation.
Safety First
Finally, safety should be considered at all times. One of the nice things about rolling ladders is that they are much sturdier and more reliable than a free-standing extension ladder. Prior to choosing a ladder, you should learn more about ladder safety.
Safety Tips for Rolling Ladders
Here are a couple of reminders and tips to help keep you safe when you’re working with material handling equipment. It’s important that you know how to properly use a ladder, as it’s only as good as the person who’s operating it. Safety is top priority!
Conduct regular inspections of your ladder hardware. Inspections are mandated by OSHA, and according to a recent regulatory update under OSHA Standards – 29 CFR, a design standard was put into place to annually verify the condition of a ladder. Things to look out for before you use the ladder include missing parts, light bends, or other damages. You should also look out for non-operational parts, insecure joints, rocking motion or wobbling on an even or level ground, loose fasteners or parts, bent caster wheels, or broken welds.
Make sure that the ladder you’re choosing is the right one for the type of work you are doing. It’s helpful to have portable warehouse equipment, but when it’s misused, a preventable outcome could occur. You need to think about the step width of the ladder, the angled slope of the steps, and the platform’s height. If the climb is really steep, the ladder operator will need to face the ladder when they go up and down.
Make sure your team is trained on how to use the ladder. The three-point rule of ladder usage applies: always make sure that you keep at least three points of contact on a rolling ladder during use. Heavy objects should be lifted up the ladder rather than carried. Most ladder injuries occur when a person attempts to transport an object or a package up and down the rungs or steps.
A mobile app, NIOSH Ladder Safety App, includes lots of helpful information about ladder safety. While this concept should be common sense to most people, training must still be required prior to using a ladder for the first time.
Maintenance is another important factor to consider with regard to ladder safety. Make sure it’s kept clean so it doesn’t corrode, and replace old parts with replacement parts when necessary. Never inappropriately misuse the ladder by storing items on it, and don’t put any loads onto the ladder that are deemed unnecessary or unintended.
Our rolling ladders can include Grip Strut Tread or EZY Tread.
EZY Tread
Perforated EZY Tread ladders provide a tight grip that locks a person’s foot into place while still allowing the operator to walk freely. EZY Tread doesn’t wear down like other ladders that contain imitation rubber materials and work well with most work footwear. These ladders are constructed from a solid steel sheet, they are optimal for standard or clean duty areas, they eliminate front edge wear and sagging metal that’s commonly found in other ladders, and they are economical.
Grip Strut Tread
Grip Strut Tread contains rust resistance properties for safety grating and is extremely durable. A standard mill-galvanized finish gives the ladder a long-lasting surface and prevents corrosion. Shoe and boot soles can be securely gripped in every direction on the serrated surface. These ladders are easy to clean with their open design, and the patented non-slip technology makes them suitable to use inside or outside where many hazards and dangerous work conditions can occur. The ladders are available in aluminum or steel, constructed from a solid steel sheet, work well in less predictable surfaces (wet or oily), and have a state-of-the-art sure-footed design.
For more information about our rolling ladders, contact us today!
