Nowadays there is an app for almost everything, whether it is something useful like live traffic updates, communicating with friends or something trivial like a virtual lighter or paper toss game. Now, an American organisation has devised a smart phone app for people working with ladders, which promises to improve safety and provide useful feedback on ladder positioning to reduce the risk associated with using ladders.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) worked with DSFederal, a consulting firm, as well as the American Ladder Institute, to develop an app that applies the science of ladder positioning to the reality of working with ladders.  The app advises on the best angle for the ladder to be at, reducing the risk of the ladder slipping due to incorrect ground positioning.  The app also provides the workers with links to ladder safety and inspection information and has an in-built guide to inspection, accessories and ladder selection.

Ladder Safety – It’s All About The Angles

The app looks at the angle of the ladder against the wall, using the camera and indicates to the user whether improvements can be made.  Although this app is designed specifically for extension ladders, it will not be long before similar apps are developed for other types of access solution. Trades that use ladders regularly are the target market for this app and employers should encourage their staff to use any aids for health and safety, but the domestic and casual user can benefit from this type of technology too.  Generally less experienced in ladder set up and safety than those who use ladders every day, the domestic ladder user could also benefit greatly from an app that helps them select and position a ladder safely.

The app is freely available for Android and iPhone and is simply called ‘Ladder Safety’.

If you do have any questions on safety and your ladder, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0300 303 22 99, where we will be happy to answer any queries.

If your ladder is no longer safe to use come on over to the main MLC webstore and pick up a new one from the best range at the best prices online!