A stepladder is a portable ladder with a hinged support frame and steps on one side. It should be used safely on a flat surface, with weight centered on the steps and not pulled or pushed sideways. Different materials are available, and it is useful for small projects at home or accessing high places.
A stepladder is a portable ladder designed with a support frame that stabilizes the ladder during use. Ladders come in a range of sizes, from small two- or three-step ladders designed to give people a little leg up to much taller ladders that can be used to access high places like the roof. Many hardware and home improvement stores have stepladders and can order special models upon request if customers cannot find a ladder that fits their needs in the store.
A stepladder design includes a hinged support frame designed to fold away when the ladder is not in use for ease of transport, and a set of steps on one side of the frame. The ladder may have a platform at the top that can be used to hold tools and supplies, and smaller step ladders often have a handle protruding from the top. When used correctly, the design is very stable.
It is important to ensure that a stepladder is used safely. The four legs of the ladder should be placed on a flat surface and the ladder should be fully folded, with the support posts in the center of the frame folded flat. Most ladders are designed to support the weight of only one person, and people using the ladder should be centered on the steps, where their weight will be more evenly supported. They should also avoid climbing so high that they cannot easily touch the ladder with their hands; if you need to climb that high or stand on the top rung, you need a higher ladder.
Stepladders are also unstable when pulled or pushed sideways, and repeated pressure in this direction can place great strain on parts of the ladder. It is also important to avoid using stepladders in wet or slippery environments. Step ladder designs made of fiberglass, wood, plastic and aluminum are available and can be useful in many environments. One thing to check is whether or not the ladder has rubber feet for traction, which will make it more stable.
In the home, a stepladder can be very useful for small projects where people can’t reach their workspace from the floor, such as cleaning cabinet tops. While some people may be inclined to use chairs for such tasks, chairs are not suited for this and a stepladder is much safer. The tallest stepladders can be used for everything from tree pruning to theatrical lighting.
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