Choosing a Stepladder

Type

• Small wooden ladders--These two-step ladders are easy to use, inexpensive and provide electrical safety. Over time and with repeated use, however, they will get wobbly and may become unsafe to use.

• Aluminum ladders--These ladders are sturdy, lightweight and good for painting chores around the house. The rubber feet help stabilize it, but they are not a good choice for electrical jobs.

• Fiberglass ladder--If you are only going to buy one ladder, this is the best choice because it can be used for any type of job.

Size

The average person can work safely four feet above the top of a ladder. For example, a six-foot ladder can be used for jobs up to 10 feet high. Determine how high the job you need to do is, and then choose the corresponding ladder height.

When figuring out the duty rating, which is listed on the side of the ladder (figure A), don’t forget to take into account body weight as well as the weight of tools and materials that are to be carried up the ladder. Always choose a duty rating that is slightly higher than what you need. Duty ratings come from 75 to 350 pounds.

• Glue or screw a magnetic strip (typically available at kitchen-supply stores) to the top of a ladder and use it to keep track of tools and nails (figure B).

• Put tools in a bucket to carry everything up the ladder at once. Tie a rope to the handle of the bucket and pull the bucket up once you get to the top of the ladder (figure C). Also lower tools before climbing down from the ladder.