What is The Best Time to Retire a Ladder?
There are different phases that Step Ladders go through throughout their lifespan. Although this may be normal, paying attention to your ladder’s stability and not becoming complacent when it has experienced a lot of wear and tear is important.
LADDER SIGNS OF WEAKENING
The bottom line is that whether you are a pro or DIYer, here are some things to keep in mind when inspecting your ladders. Pros likely have seen weakened and damaged ladders before and may have disposed of them, too; whereas DIYers may not.
FIBERGLASS BLOOM
The non-conductive rails of fiberglass ladders make work safer, which is always the top priority for electricians and other professionals who work around electrical materials. If your fiberglass ladder is properly cared for, it can last a very long time; however, if it is used heavily or poorly, it can be reduced in lifespan. Before you step onto your ladder, always look for signs of damage, including fiberglass bloom.
Fiberglass bloom can happen on any old fiberglass surface- maybe on your ladder, or even on an old fiberglass surface. When the small fibers in fiberglass are exposed to the sun or heat, or simply when they are used excessively, they bloom out. It causes pain, itching, and discomfort when touched with bare skin.
If you work around electricity, fiberglass bloom is not only problematic for causing splinters; it can also cause a fiberglass ladder to become conductive if it gets wet. This is clearly an important concern for those working around electricity. If you work around electricity and use a ladder with fiberglass bloom, you need to take it out of service as soon as possible.
CRACKS
The Heavy Duty Step Ladders can also crack, which is another concern when dealing with one. Aluminum ladders are prone to denting, whereas fiberglass ladders, however, can crack, usually as a result of the impact. To prevent cracks from happening, do not throw the ladder out of a truck or let it fall. If you notice cracks in the ladder rails, remove the ladder from service.
DEFORMED/DENTED RAILS
Although there are many parts of a ladder that can be replaced, like the rungs, there are other parts that cannot, including the rails of your ladder. Dented, cracked, or deformed ladder rails threaten the structural integrity of the ladder, making it unsafe to use. It is important to remove ladder rails that are bent, deformed, or dented as soon as possible, as they are dangerous.
WORN TREAD
Having the right treads on your ladder is important Now, you may be wondering where they are. Your ladder normally has treads on its rungs and feet. If either the treads on the rungs or the treads on the feet are worn down too much, they need to be replaced. While it is a tedious process, taking the time to replace those parts on your ladder will keep you safe at all times.
NEXT STEPS
When you are on a job site and see that your Platform Step Ladders are in need of retirement/removal, your next steps are simple. Stop using the ladder, inform your supervisor, and tag it, so no one else can use the ladder that has been considered unsafe. If you are a DIY consumer, the process may be more challenging. You run the risk of someone taking a ladder that has been damaged and using it despite it being unsafe if you throw it away or take it to the landfill. In case you cannot destroy a ladder, make it unusable, do so If you cannot destroy it, reach out to a local business to see if they can help. It is important to take a ladder that has been damaged and destroy it by cutting its rungs or dismantling it in other ways.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
If you need help regarding the stability and safety of your ladder, Little Giant’s customer experience team is happy to help. We may be able to direct you to a resource that can help you dispose of a damaged ladder.
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