Most units fold nearly flat, thus two ladders can slip alongside each other on the tray, or in the tight rating of a lift shaft. They even make optional attachable accessories—tool trays, magnetic parts holders and even small work lights—that do not detract from the inherent stability of the frame. All teams know exactly what they need; there is no arguing about the correct equipment for a given task; simply grab the ladder that best matches the working height and get to work.
Traditional step ladders become especially uncomfortable with extended shifts when the body is out of alignment—not to mention the fact that each foot occupies its own rung. The kneecaps gets an additional pressure overtime, the lumbar spine overextends, and blood starts to pool in the ankles. Performance like these are cushioned by platform ladder, allowing sufficient surface space for shoulder-width positions when needed.
Workers are on their feet, which allows the spine to maintain its natural arc and guardrails to catch slight adjustments in weight. Handrails promote the upright position, avoiding the all-too-familiar hunch — a hunch that, by mid-afternoon, can unleash neck tightness. In addition, a stable surface reduces the small muscle adjustments needed to keep balance on a narrow step. Less tired muscles means better focus and a smaller chance of making a careless mistake at the end of the day. In areas where repetition rules the day—ceiling grid installation and data-centre cable dressing come to mind, but one can probably name very many— the ergonomic gains from this add up so that an overall lower incidence of strain, a (potentially) lower sick leave, and happy, de-stressed employees can be measured.
Australian standards and regulations compliance
Employers are requested to provide adequate equipment that can be used at the workplace in accordance with the Work Health and Safety legislation. AS 1892 is the main standard for portable ladders and Sets out the requirements for design, test methods and labelling. The standard devotes a full section to platform ladders, specifying minimum dimensions for the platform, guardrail height, and a load test threshold in section eight. For example, a compliant ladder must not permanently deform when subjected to a static vertical load of 150 kilogram applied at the centre of the platform.
It also has to pass torsional tests that simulate one side of a worker reaching over in the other direction. The AS 1892 marking certification of products involves structural testing of the product by a third party, as well as slip-resistance tests on treads and feet. In addition, fibreglass platforms may be required for Whitsett worksites working under additional state-based codes—like Queensland’s Electrical Safety Regulations—whenever energised conductors are located. Selecting a ladder that meets or surpasses these standards not only addresses legal duty of care but also simplifies annual audits of the workplace; non-compliance penalties from a workplace audit can decimate project budgets.
Reduce Risk & Prevent Injuries
Each year falls from height consistently feature among the top claims for serious injury made to Safe Work Australia. Platform ladders combat this statistic and target the human elements which cause the majority of incidents. The stout treads reduce the risk of a footing slip. They act as safeguard to loss of stance at that moment where both hands operate tools. A long rear base extends the contact point so that forces stay within the centre of mass of the ladder even when a user leans forward. We also have rails for psychological security which reduces the urge to over-reach.
A culture of safety encourages employees to follow proper protocols rather than take dangerous shortcuts. The ladder offered by equip2go is consequently not just an adjacency-based engineering construct; it is embodied behaviour. This statistical advantage is so well known among insurance underwriters that organizations that are able to demonstrate broad adoption of platform ladders (versus open step designs) often find their premiums lowered as a result. The static connection between improved safety for the passenger and cost savings for the operator only bolsters the business case for fleet modernization as a whole.
