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Edward Lowton
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Home> | Health, Safety & Welfare | >Slip, trip and fall prevention | >Ladder launch |
Ladder launch
27 March 2018
ZARGES has launched the R13 stepladder to encourage safer working at height.

Built of aluminium, making it light and sturdy, the stepladder’s treads and platform are fitted with materials that give it high anti-slip performance, ideal for oily and wet environments.
When choosing a ladder ZARGES recommends considering the following points: Assess the purpose and duration of use -if the task requires great dexterity or strength, it may make sense to use a scaffold or a platform ladder instead of a conventional ladder, ease of setting-up and dismantling should also be considered, alongside looking for a low weight and transportable solution; test the durability - ideally ladders should be built of material that can be used in workshops that might use corrosive chemicals in production, and be durable so that they can perform safely in all weather conditions for work outdoors and; pay attention to stability and slip resistance
Environmental influences such as ice, snow and mud may strongly impair a ladder's slip resistance. Even in covered indoor areas, machine oil, water or other material can quickly lead to dangerous and slippery conditions. This is especially true when working on or in the immediate vicinity of equipment such as milling and drilling machines, where oil is used as a coolant – the risk of an accident can be mitigated with a ladder design especially tailored to the situation.
“It is important to identify the challenges and find the most suitable ladder for your needs. As far as the safety aspects of ladders are concerned, the requirements laid out in the new standard EN 131-1 and 2 set a benchmark that all responsible employers must measure themselves against," said ZARGES product manager, Simone Harrer.
ZARGES’ new R13 stepladder has already been certified and complies with the assessment criteria of the EN standard. The product is unique because both the stepladder’s treads and its platform are fitted with a surface with the highest anti-slip rating (R13). The user-friendly aluminium design is both light and sturdy. The R13 stepladder also features a platform measuring 300 mm by 250 mm, providing more comfort during prolonged standing compared to previous models.