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According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. From 1995 to 1999, an average 362 fatal falls occurred each year. With safety a high concern, ladders and work platform manufacturers are working to provide safe products for contractors to use on the job.
Ladders that provide functions and features specific to certain trades are becoming extremely popular. Not only do they include useful features that make a contractor’s job easier and faster, but these features are often much safer.
For example, a ladder that allows tool buckets to be attached directly to the ladder, or provides brackets or holes for tools to be placed in, keeps workers from having to step up and down the ladder to retrieve each tool sitting on the floor below. The fewer trips a worker has to make, the safer the ladder is to use. Other important accessories that are making ladders safer include enlarged feet for more stability on rocky ground, extenders for angled ground and higher duty ratings that allow ladders to safely carry more weight.
Ken Zack, industrial sales director for Louisville Ladder, adds, “The newest duty rating for ladders is 375 pounds and are identified as Type IAA ladders.” The rating is based on the maximum safe load capacity, Type I, IA or IAA and can support up to 250, 300 and 375 pounds, respectively.
Type IAA ladders are becoming more popular since they can hold more weight than previous types.
Work platforms are also following a similar trend. Many lift manufacturers now include ancillary options such as attached pipe racks, material handling, welders, generators and other specialty options.
“Scissor lifts are now being offered in what may be called the mini-series of platforms,” says Tony Groat of AWPT (Aerial Work Platform Training), the US division of IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) that promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment. “With platform heights between 10 to 15 feet, these lifts offer a small profile and reasonable weight that allows access to confined areas. They are quickly taking the place of jobs where only ladders could go.”
