A Complete Guide to Work Platforms, Podium Steps and Industrial Ladders

Not all ladders are created equal. For instance, a household ladder designed to help you reach that top shelf or change a light bulb is very different from an industrial ladder used on a construction site. Luckily, whatever your set of requirements, there is a ladder out there to suit your specific needs. 

With this in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself before selecting a ladder.   

• What tasks will you be using the ladder for? 
  
  
• How tall do you need the ladder to be? 
  
  
• What material do you want the ladder to be made from? 
  
  
• How often will you be using the ladder (how sturdy and durable do you need it to be?) 

• How much space do you have to store the ladder? 
  
  
• Will you need to transport the ladder? 

Both home-use and industrial ladders — as well as work platforms and steps — come with a duty rating in either EN for Europe or BS for Britain. Here is a quick guide to help you select the right ladder for your purposes. 

 

Rating	Weight and Use
BS 2037 (Class 1)	Supports up to 175 kilograms (applies to heavy-duty industrial ladders)
BS EN 131	Supports up to 150 kilograms (applies to industrial ladders)
EN 14183	Supports up to 150 kilograms (applies to 2 and 3 tread folding steps)
BS EN 1004:2004	Supports up to 150 kilograms (applies to towers)

 

Types of Ladders, Platforms and Steps 

There are many different ladders, platforms and steps out there — each designed for different sets of tasks. Here are some of the most popular ones. 

Swingback step ladders 
Unlike traditional ladders, swingback step ladders do not require a supporting wall. Locked into an A shape, they are ideal for home and industrial jobs, such as painting, cleaning and construction. They are relatively portable, which means that they can be moved between locations. Since swingback ladders lack a platform, they are best for quick jobs or tasks that do not require a lot of equipment. 

Extension ladders  
Extension ladders have two or three sections that can be adjusted to extend their reach to a height of up to 10 meters. They are often used as industrial ladders due to their versatility. 

GRP ladders 
Also called fiberglass ladders, glass reinforced plastic or GRP ladders are lightweight, strong and incombustible. As such, they make perfect industrial ladders for use in areas close to electrical or fire hazards. 

Telescopic ladders 
As their name suggests, telescopic ladders work in the same way as telescopes. As such, they are ultra-compact and highly portable. Since they can fit in most car boots, telescopic ladders are ideal for those on the go. They also do not require a lot of storage space. 

Combination ladders 
Combination ladders can be used as either regular step ladders or extension ladders. They can also be adjusted to reach different heights. Since combination ladders can be assembled in a variety of ways, they are highly versatile and perfect for different types of jobs.  

Work platforms 
Work platforms come in many different shapes and sizes, from scissor lifts and scaffolding to platforms designed for permanent installation. Which work platform you select should depend on the task type and duration. Scissor lifts are highly mobile while scaffolding is more suited to jobs such as painting. Meanwhile, permanent installations (despite their name, they are usually height adjustable) provide comfortable access to raised work areas. 

Mobility steps 
Typically used at workplaces and warehouses, mobility steps provide access to items on out-of-reach shelves. Unlike static steps, mobility steps can be transported between areas. This means that they can be easily moved out of the way if no longer required or they become an obstruction.  

Two-step mobility steps are usually used to reach top shelves at schools, libraries and stores (they usually have a platform height of around 50 centimetres). They tend to be lightweight and highly portable. Mobility steps for industrial environments such as factories and warehouses tend to be larger and more robust (they usually have a platform of up to 5 meters). Many industrial mobility steps come with steel handrails and a platform for extra stability.  

Traditional mobility steps feature castor wheels at the back and rubber feet at the front. This allows for easy transportation once weight is transferred from the rubber feet to the castor wheels. Alternatively, mobility steps come with spring-loaded castor wheels that retract into rubber domes when pressure is applied to the device. This ensures stability during use.  

Platform Steps 
Usually made from fiberglass, aluminium or timber, platform steps are ideal for professionals and  DIYers. Plus, they come with a different number of treads depending on the height you need to reach to complete the job. Some platform steps even come with handrails for additional safety. 

Podium Steps 
A much safer alternative to standard steps, podium steps come with handrails to prevent any accidental slips. They are also lightweight and can be folded for easy transportation and storage. For home use, mini podium steps are easy to manoeuver and compact enough to fit in small vehicles. 

Safety Steps 
Safety step ladders are great for minimising the risk associated with accidental loss of balance. Most safety steps come with handrails to make ascending and descending the ladder a breeze. They are particularly useful for repetitive jobs where you need to hold onto something as you reach up to pick up an object. Better still, safety steps come in a range of heights and some even feature wheels for easy transportation.  

Warehouse Steps 
Typically used in warehouse and storeroom situations, warehouse steps are ideal for reaching high shelves. Warehouse steps come in a range of heights and sizes and some are even foldable for easy transportation and storage. 

Ladder Safety Tips 

Since wear and tear are inevitable, you should regularly inspect your ladder to ensure that it is in optimal condition. In addition, it is important to carry out pre-use checks before starting a task and each time a ladder is moved or happens to accidentally drop. Here are just a few things to keep an eye on when it comes to ladder maintenance. 

• The Stiles or Rails: Bent or damaged stiles can cause the ladder to buckle and fall. 
  
  
• The Rungs: Worn, bent or missing rungs can cause the ladder to collapse.  
• The Treads or Steps: Loose fixings can lead to collapse and slippery treads or steps could cause accidental falls. 
  
  
• The Platform: Buckled or split work platforms can make the ladder unstable and even lead to a collapse.
   
• The Feet: Worn out or damaged feet could cause the ladder to slip. Be sure to inspect the feet each time you move the ladder from a soft ground (soil or loose sand) to a solid surface (paving or tiles) to double-check that the actual feet and not soil are in contact with the ground. 
  
  
• The Locking Mechanism: Check that the locking mechanism is fully engaged and there are no broken or worn components.  

Once you have inspected the ladder for damage or any signs of wear and tear, it is also important that you take a number of safety measures before starting the job. These include: 

• If you are using a traditional-style step ladder, check that it is leaning against the wall at the correct angle.  
  
  
• If the ladder comes with a locking mechanism, make sure that it is locked into place. 
  
  
• Wear clothing that is large enough to be comfortable but not so large that it might snag on the ladder. 
  
  
• Wear non-slip shoes to minimise the risk of accidental slips and falls. 

• Never exceed the ladder’s maximum load. 

 

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