How many times have you needed to use your domestic aluminium ladder in the last month? You have surely, on multiple occasions, found yourself needing to change a light bulb, hang a picture or reach the highest shelves in your home, and for that, you have needed the help that a ladder provides. However, are you using it correctly? The correct or incorrect use of the domestic aluminium ladder can undermine our safety, as a simple oversight, carelessness or inattention can cause falls with serious consequences.
For this reason, at Altipesa we have prepared ten tips and recommendations that you should bear in mind before use, during use and once you have finished your work at height. If you follow all our guidelines, your safety and stability will be guaranteed while you are on your domestic aluminium ladder.
Before using the ladder
- The market offers a wide variety of domestic aluminium ladder models. However, when choosing your ladder, you must select the model that best suits your needs. For example, the height to be reached, the space it will take up, whether you want it to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, or whether you prefer to opt for a ladder that is insulating against electric current, among other preferences.
- You must make sure that your aluminium ladder complies with the requirements set out in European Standard EN 131, the standard that regulates and specifies the requirements that all portable ladders must meet. Sometimes, domestic aluminium ladders on sale, especially online, may not comply with the regulations and are marked with “EN 131”. For this reason, we recommend paying special attention to all these requirements, as they can put your safety on the ladder at risk. The entire Altipesa ladder and stool catalogue complies with the safety and quality characteristics established in the European Standards of the EN 131 series.
- Before starting home DIY tasks, it is advisable to check the condition of your domestic aluminium ladder. You should therefore avoid climbing it when you detect any kind of defect, such as loose steps or rungs, anti-slip end caps in poor condition or cracks in the structure. It is also advisable to clean it before use to remove any material residue that could affect its grip. It will therefore be necessary to inspect the steps or rungs, the stiles, the locking devices and the joining, sliding, support or fastening elements.
During use of the ladder
- The surface on which you place your domestic aluminium ladder must be flat and non-slip. Also make sure the area is free of obstacles, so keep away from unnecessary tables, chairs or boxes that could put your safety at risk. If you are going to work near a door, make sure it cannot be opened from the other side, as an accidental opening could affect your stability on the ladder.
- Check that the domestic aluminium ladder is fully open to prevent accidental opening while using it. For this reason, the stepladders in the Altipesa catalogue feature polypropylene (PP) platforms with exclusive locking systems that provide maximum safety.
- During the task, your body must not extend beyond the ladder, so your waist should be between the stiles and your feet on the same step. If you need to reach out to access a particular element, you will need to climb down the domestic aluminium ladder, move it — never from above — and climb back up to continue your work.
- Ascent and descent should always be carried out facing the ladder and, even though you are in the relaxed environment of your home, appropriate footwear should be worn when carrying out home DIY tasks.
- The maximum total load of the ladder must not be exceeded, as doing so would compromise your safety. Taking into account the weight of the materials needed to carry out your tasks, Altipesa’s domestic aluminium ladders can support a maximum weight of 150 kg, in accordance with European Standard EN 131.
After using the ladder
- In general, it is recommended to store the domestic aluminium ladder in a horizontal position to ensure it remains straight and prevent possible falls that could damage it. However, if this is not possible, it can also be stored in a vertical position, provided that some fastening device is used to ensure it is secured.
- Domestic aluminium ladders should be stored in dry places, protected from adverse weather conditions — sun, rain, snow or humidity — and kept away from corrosive substances.
