Elements to Consider in Choosing the Best Ladder for Your Warehouse

March 29, 2021

Warehouses are often utilised to store and accumulate huge amounts of products. These establishments ensure that the products will remain safe before transporting, selling, or using them at a later date. Products that are deemed useful for businesses are often stored in these places since warehouses are equipped with tools and fittings that are necessary for their safekeeping and protection.

To maximise space, warehouses often use storage solutions that would enable the storing of products at great heights. Since these structures must also ensure the safety of their workers, they are required to use tools and equipment pieces that can be flexible enough in obtaining the stored products. One of the tools that are needed for warehouses is the ladder. Its repeated bars or steps between upright lengths of metal or other materials allow employees to climb up and down easily and reach their desired places.

In choosing a ladder for your warehouse, there are certain elements that you should consider carefully. Some of the elements that can help you pick the best ladder for you include the following.

Overall Material

One of the most important elements that you should consider in choosing a ladder for your warehouse is its overall material. Ladders can be made from wood, fibreglass, and aluminium. However, warehouse operations require ladders that are durable, safe, and long-lasting. Hence, two ladder materials that you can choose for your warehouse are fibreglass and aluminium. Fibreglass is known for its low weight, excellent strength, resistance to chemicals and corrosion, and ease of maintenance. Aluminium likewise boasts some of the qualities of fibreglass, making it ideal for warehouse applications.

Total Height

Another element of the ladder that you must consider is its height. You must know the height of your storage spaces so you can purchase ladders that can effectively reach these elevated areas. Extension ladders are recommended to be at least 7 feet longer than the highest contact point of the warehouse. You must also remember that the highest allowable standing level of a person on a ladder is two steps down from the top. Likewise, the maximum safe reaching height of the person must be around 4 feet higher than the ladder’s height. All these specifications allow workers to work with ladders safely.

Load Capacity

One other important element that you should not miss in choosing a ladder is its safe load capacity. The maximum safe load capacity of a ladder is typically determined by its load rating. Industrial ladders typically have a minimum load rating of around 120 kg to 150 kg. So, once a fully clothed person climbs up on the ladder, their weight plus the weight of the tools or products that they carry while on the ladder must be less or should not exceed its established load rating.

If you want to obtain safe and durable ladders for your warehouse, just give us a call at SOS Retail Sales. We specialise in supplying new equipment and products to the retail industry, shopping centres, and the health and fitness industry.

Head Office VIC

SOS Retail Sales
16 Brett Drive, Carrum Downs Vic 3201
Ph: 1300 131 383
Fax: 03 9775 0733

NSW Office

SOS Maintenance Services Pty Ltd
1/6 Smoothy Place, Arndell Park NSW 2148
Ph: 1300 131 383

Email: [email protected]