It seems easy enough. You need to buy a new ladder. But you find yourself confronted with a number of choices. Do you buy an aluminum or fiberglass ladder? A stepladder or extension ladder? A10-footer or a 20-footer? And what about buying a scaffold system?
Aluminum vs. FiberglassWhen selecting a ladder, consider these three factors: material, duty rating and height.
Most stepladders and extension ladders are made from either aluminum or fiberglass.
Aluminum ladders are lighter than fiberglass. For example, a 10-foot aluminum ladder weighs 30 pounds, compared to 34 pounds for the same height in fiberglass.
Aluminum ladders are the most popular ladders among painters, says Santiago Veytia, marketing manager, Kentucky-based Louisville Ladder. For painters, the company offers the AS3000 series aluminum ladder, which has a molded pail shelf with a skid-resistant surface and outer retaining-edge to prevent paint can slippage and spilling.
The primary disadvantage of aluminum ladders is that they cannot be used near electrical wires. (For such situations, use a fiberglass ladder.)
Since their introduction in the early 1960s, fiberglass ladders have proven themselves durable workhorses for contractors of all stripes. Less expensive and lighter than wood ladders, they are available in a full range of sizes.
When planning for ladder load, always consider both your weight and the items being carried up the ladder. For example, a bundle of shingles typically weighs 70 pounds, while a tool box with tools can weigh 35 pounds. (See chart for ladder load capacities.)
Determining Ladder SizeLadder companies produce charts that specify the maximum working range of their products. For a Louisville 16-foot stepladder, the highest approximate standing level is 13 feet 4 inches, which provides a reach of approximately 20 feet. By comparison, its 16-foot extension ladder has a working range to the top support of 7½ to 12½ feet. (Its maximum accessible roof range is 4½ to 9½ feet.)
When on a ladder, don’t “overreach.” This can result in loss of balance. Ladder falls accounted for 129 worker deaths in 2006, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
For a stepladder, the highest standing level is two steps down from the top step. With an extension ladder, it’s four rungs down from the top rung. Extension ladders should always extend 3 feet past the roofline or working surface. Always maintain a 75½-degree angle to the ground. To achieve this, the Construction Roundtable of OSHA’s
Alliance Program recommends that the “base of the ladder be 1 foot away from the building for every 4 feet of ladder length to the support point.”
Ladder manufacturers are devising ways to improve your productivity. This past July,
Louisville Ladder introduced the “Pro Top” feature on its 24-, 28- and 32-foot fiberglass Type IA extension ladders. It includes a non-conductive molded work tray with slots for screwdrivers, pliers and other tools, a wider stance for greater stability and “a soft, nonmarking/non-marring, rubber-tread, integrated bumper to protect work surfaces,” says
Veytia. The ladders also have the company’s Quicklatch rung lock system, which makes securing fly and base sections “a one-finger operation.”
Investing in ScaffoldingOSHA mandates scaffolds for situations where ladders cannot be used safely. Scaffolds provide a stable work platform for you to stand and place materials and supplies, and are especially well-suited for projects such as bricklaying, tuck pointing and drywalling.
Scaffold systems have platform load capacities ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds (spread evenly) and can be configured for heights as high as 20 feet. (Note that OSHA requires any scaffold over 10 feet to have a safety railing.)
Some scaffold platforms are designed for specific applications such as A-1 Plank and
Scaffold Manufacturing’s AP Drywall Scaffold, which is 12 feet high, 29 inches wide and 6 feet long. It rides on 5-inch heavy-duty casters for easy maneuverability and has a platform that can be adjusted from 1 foot to 12 feet high.
As with its ladders, Louisville Ladder has invested in ways to make scaffold systems easier to use. Its Fortruss steel rolling tower scaffold, which can be used in masonry projects, is equipped with a “dual-pin adjustment” mechanism. This pistol-like grip “allows quick and easy one-person adjustment of platform height,” says Veytia.
Whether your job requires a stepladder, an extension ladder or a scaffold, it’s in your best interest to use it properly. Follow the tips below to stay safe.
Ladder Duty RatingsLadders are classified by their load capacity, ranging from light-duty household to super-heavy-duty.
| Classification | Type | Capacity |
| Light-duty household | 3 | 200 pounds |
| Medium-duty commercial | 2 | 225 pounds |
| Heavy-duty industrial | 1 | 250 pounds |
| Extra-heavy-duty | 1-A | 300 pounds |
| Super-heavy-duty | 1-AA | 375 pounds |
Source: Louisville Ladder
Safety Tips- Use the right ladder for the job
- Always inspect the ladder before use
- Always face the ladder when ascending and descending
- Keep your body centered on the ladder
- Wear proper non-skid rubber soles
Source: Construction Roundtable of OSHA’s Alliance Program