Podium ladders are a type of step ladder – built in an A-frame construction, they look and operate in a similar fashion but instead of the restrictions on using the top steps you find with a step ladder, a podium ladder has a specially designed extra wide platform at the top allowing you to gain extra height and retain a secure footing.  Podium ladders also have a handrail that extends from the top, which also provides security and can be used with accessories to create a tool station.  Some larger models even have a full guardrail that surrounds the user for added safety.

 

Working at height for a long time leads to fatigue and stress on the structure of the foot – having your feet balanced on a narrow rung can cause all sorts of foot and leg problems that, left untreated, can lead to back problems and worse.  The wide platform of a podium ladder eliminates this issue, making it much less stressful to work at height for extended periods.  The extra stability also means more focus can be directed to the task at hand, as there is less worry about slipping off a rung.

 

Painters, carpenters and other tradespeople, who work at height for more than a few minutes at a time will certainly benefit from using a podium ladder, and although they are a little more expensive than a standard step ladder, the reduction in foot fatigue and the virtual elimination of all the associated problems is worth the extra few pounds.

 

Most of the professional podium ladders come with additional features not found on domestic models, such as stabiliser base bars and extended leg stabilisers.  There are some models which can be set up on stairs and over other uneven ground features and even versions with telescopic legs, allowing the user to select the correct working height for the job at hand.  These are great for builders and carpenters, who need the stability of an adjustable ladder on uneven ground, as well as a large platform to stand on while they work.  The Youngman Teleguard telescopic podium steps are ideal for these trades, as well as general estate management teams, as they are sturdy, offer a good range of heights and are useable both indoor and out on flat ground or stairs.   With wide stabiliser bars on the base as well as four adjustable wide spanning legs, they offer a high degree of security for the user; reinforced by the guardrails and locking gate surrounding the platform, which virtually eliminates the risk of falling.

 

Podium ladders are also used by maintenance engineers working on lighting and ducting in large facilities as they are reasonably easy to wheel around and offer a secure place to work from, which is very important when the work may take a while to complete or needs to be approached from different angles.  Order pickers and stock checkers in warehouses also use podium steps for height access, as they can count stock and pick items without having to rush due to being uncomfortable standing on a narrow ladder rung for a long time.  Any task that takes longer than a couple of minutes is much easier on a podium ladder than any other type, and the investment in improved ergonomics makes for a happier and more productive workforce.

 

We have podium steps from four different manufacturers in our range, including Lyte and Zarges.  Take a look at the products on offer now, and within a couple of days you too could be experiencing the joy of safer working at height.