In recent years telescopic technology has come on leaps and bounds, with telescopic extension ladders now available in a range of lengths, telescopic loft ladders and even telescopic combination ladders on the market.  Now, Little Giant, who are leaders in ladder innovation, have brought out a telescopic work platform for use with their articulating ladder range, such as the Little Giant Classic.  The platform can also be used with other supports, such as trestles or hop-ups, or a different style of articulating ladder.  It could also be used with two step ladders as supports, as long as the rung heights are the same on each stepladder.

The Little Giant telescopic work platform extends from 6 feet (1.8 metres) to 9 feet (2.74 metres), which gives considerably more space than many other standard work platforms, which tend to be limited to around 1 metre.  With this extra space available you can save time on decoration jobs as you won't need to move the platform as often, perhaps up to three times fewer moves if you have the platform extended to its longest setting.

The platform surface has a non-slip coating to ensure users are safe when they are moving around; it is made from lightweight aluminium so it is light, easy to carry and easy to set up, weighing in at just under 15 kilos.  The main difference between this platform and other platforms on the market is that the Little Giant option doesn't have its own legs.  As it's designed to be used with a Little Giant ladder, which comes apart and can be used as trestle legs, there are none on the plank itself.  Even if you don't own a Little Giant ladder, the work platform can still be useful when propped between two hop ups, or between the rungs of two step ladders that can function as supports.  The extra length available with this platform means that even when used between two ladders, there will still be a large working platform area to use.

The rung locks on the platform will lock against any ladder rung – they swivel underneath and lock themselves against the platform when slid over the ladder rung, making this platform a very versatile option for the DIYer or tradesperson.  It is worth noting that the rung locks won't lock as effectively when using the platform across two hop ups, but if the platform is secured to the hop ups using zip cables, this will keep the platform in place during use.  We advise always carrying out a risk assessment before using a new ladder or using equipment in a new or different way, always ensure you double check the sturdiness of any set up before climbing it.

If you're a keen amateur or a professional painter and decorator the Little Giant ladder system is well worth the investment.  There are cheaper ladders out there, but the many different configurations that a Little Giant ladder can be used in means you're paying less overall than if you had to buy separate ladders for each task.  Another benefit of having several different types of ladder in one is that you save space in a work van or garage and you don't need to delay any jobs because you need a different ladder.  There is also a huge range of well-designed accessories for the Little Giant range, so if you need a paint holder, tool and fixing holder or stand-off, there is one purpose made for your ladder.  There's even a platform you can lock onto a rung of the Little Giant to create a larger standing area for long jobs, like painting window frames where comfort makes all the difference.

We can't wait to see what Little Giant come up with next.