What determines the stability of the ladder?

Working at height carries the risk of falling. Therefore, to minimize the possibility of falling, you should make sure that the ladder is stable.

Every time before climbing, you should take a few minutes to check the ladder.

Visually inspect the ladder for:

• corrosion,
• deformation,
• damage,
• wear.

If you have to use a ladder constantly at your workplace, checks should be scheduled.

At the beginning of the working day, the ladder should be checked by the person who will use it.

The ladder should be checked out of turn if the following unplanned events occur:

• something was dropped on the ladder,
• the ladder was in a very dirty place,
• something was spilled on the ladder,
• the ladder fell from a height.

A dirty ladder should be cleaned, and if the structure falls, it is necessary to check:

• if there are no dents, bends or deformations of the sides and steps;
• whether the rungs or steps are firmly attached to the sides;
• whether there are cracks or wear on the rubberized support tips.

If the ladder is missing one support tip, it will not stand firmly. If your VIRASTAR ladder has lost its tips, you can buy ladder tips from us, these are original spare parts that are ideal for VIRASTAR UNOMAX, DUOMAX, TRIOMAX ladders. Replacing them is not difficult, even a beginner can handle it.

If you need to move the ladder from one place on the construction site to another, be sure to check that there are no bricks, construction debris, boards, sticks, stones or other objects on the ground that will prevent you from placing the ladder level. Such obstacles will prevent the ladder from acquiring a stable position.

Several recommendations for the safe use of an extension ladder:

• Plan what you will take with you when climbing the ladder (tools, equipment, materials). Take as little as possible with you to a height, do not carry heavy objects in your hands. If you need to lift very large or heavy objects to a height, use alternative means (material lift, hoist, etc.)
• Be sure to calculate your own weight + the weight of the tools and materials that you will take with you on the ladder. It should not exceed the maximum load permitted by the manufacturer.
• When ascending and descending, have three points of contact with the ladder (2 hands + leg or 2 legs + arm). If you need 2 hands to work on the ladder, provide a preliminary fixing point for the ladder, for example, tie the ladder to a fixed structure. Do not place the ladder on a smooth tile or lean it on a gutter - this will make the ladder unstable.
• Do not lean excessively to the right or left while standing on the ladder, adhere to the "belt buckle between the sides of the ladder" rule.
• Do not climb onto the top 3 rungs of the ladder.

• Place the extension ladder at an angle of 75 degrees so that it is stable.
• Always face the ladder when ascending and descending. Do not carry tools in your hands, use a tool belt.
• Never move the ladder if there is a person on it. Do not allow your colleagues to move the ladder while you are on it.
• Never place the ladder on a stack of bricks, on a forklift, on any transport, on stones or other objects. The ladder must stand on the ground, floor or other level, reliable surface.

You can buy a ladder from us directly from the manufacturer's warehouse.

We provide a guarantee for our ladders and a technical passport. Virastar aluminum ladders are certified for compliance with EN 131.

Call us if you have any questions about aluminum ladders.

Also read our blog How is a three-section ladder used in each working position?