We use ladders a lot in the construction industry. So much so, that we tend to take them for granted and use the same ladder for different types of jobs. Many times the use of the wrong ladder increases the likelihood of injury on the job site.

A platform ladder, like the one made by Louisville in the picture above, has a slip resistant platform towards the top of the ladder to allow the user to stand for long periods of time more comfortably than on a standard ladder. An upper top rail allows the worker to lean for extra safety and comfort.

For a two man job, there’s also an option for a twin front ladder, which has a set of steps on the front and back, instead of the typical step on one side, horizontal rungs on the back side. This allows one worker to carry materials up the ladder on one side and hand them to the worker on the other side of the ladder. The thinner rungs on the opposite side of a typical ladder are not as safe or comfortable for the foot.

The Louisville platform and twin front ladders are also equipped with Lousiville’s patented “Da Boot” slip resistant boot at the base of each side of the ladder and SHOX, which allows for impact absorption. The single side platform ladders allow a load capacity of 300 pounds (Type 1A) and 375 pounds (Type 1AA), whereas the twin front ladders allow for up to 300 pounds on each side of the ladder.

While we’re on the subject, fold out ladders should never be leaned against a wall without the horizontal spacer in place while in use. OSHA regulation 1917.119(f)(5) states that “…self-supporting ladders shall not be used as single straight ladders.” Keep your eye out for improper use of ladders and do yourself and your employees a favor by choosing the right ladder for the right situation.

Louisville Platform Step Ladder ($184-$481 on Grainger) | Louisville

Louisville Twin Front Platform Step Ladder ($409-896 on Grainger) | Louisville

Jun 15, 2021

Hilti Officially Releases EXO-01 Exoskeleton, Names Price

Jun 15, 2021

Last summer, Hilti announced that they had developed their first exoskeleton designed for construction tradespeople in a partnership with Ottobuck, a prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeleton provider. Earlier this month, Hilti officially released the exoskeleton, announced more details, and published its retail price on their website.

Jun 15, 2021

Jun 7, 2021

The CAT S62 Pro Rugged Smartphone Unleashes the Power of Thermal Imaging

Jun 7, 2021

Cat Phones is known to make some pretty rugged smartphones, the kind of phone you don’t have to worry about on the jobsite – even without a case. Licensed by the construction equipment giant, Caterpillar, the phones are made by the UK-based Bullitt Group. The company recently announced the release of their new flagship smartphone model, the CAT S62 Pro.

Jun 7, 2021

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Jun 1, 2021

The Ultimate Construction Father's Day Gift Guide 2021

Jun 1, 2021

Father’s Day 2021 is June 20, so you better get started on gift ideas if you want to impress dad this year. Whether your father is contractor, handyman, or DIYer, we’ve got a lot of great ideas for him this year.

For more more gift ideas, be sure to check out our past Father's Day Gift Guides from 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 or our Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guides from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020

Jun 1, 2021

May 17, 2021

DeWalt Announces 15 Amp Hour Battery for Larger, More Powerful Tools

May 17, 2021

Lithium battery technology is being pushed to new heights in the tool world seemingly every month, as more power hungry tools continue to drop the cord and join the battery revolution. DeWalt is the latest in the game to up the ante with the release of the first 15 am hour 18V battery on the market.

May 17, 2021

Apr 28, 2021

[VIDEO] Baubot, the Robot That Wants to Be Every Trade on the Jobsite

Apr 28, 2021

While still new in the construction industries, robots are typically designed to perform a specific task in a highly precise and efficient way, like the rebar tying robot, Tybot or the brick-laying robot Hadrian X. More recently, though, robots are being imagined as platforms for 3rd party companies to develop hardware and accessories to attach to the base robot, like the Boston Dynamics robotic dog, Spot. I recently came across a new robot, called Baubot, which hopes to one day perform tasks using every tool on a typical jobsite.

Apr 28, 2021

Apr 1, 2021

Makita Announces Release of New 40V, 80V XGT Tool Lineup for US Market

Apr 1, 2021

Those that follow tool news may have heard about a new Makita tool platform that launched in several other countries a few months ago and have been waiting for the news of it finally being released in the United States. Well, the wait is over, as the teal tool brand has finally announced the release of their 40V and 80V XGT system in the US.

Apr 1, 2021

Mar 15, 2021

Doosan Announces Industry First “Transparent Bucket” to Wheel Loader to Eliminate Blind Spots

Mar 15, 2021

“You make a better door than a window!” is what I imagine loader operators constantly yell at the bucket in front of them (or maybe I’m just projecting based on my experience of having the habit of sitting right in front of the TV as a kid). Either way, operators may not be yelling that in the future, as equipment manufacturer, Doosan, has introduced what they claim is an industry first “transparent” bucket.

Mar 15, 2021

Mar 8, 2021

Cool Tools: World’s First Dry Cut 7-1/2” Portable Tile Saw

Mar 8, 2021

Reducing dust when cutting tile is important for many reasons (including safety and cleanliness), but wet tile saws can be a pain to use, with the slurry created spraying all around the work station and cold weather making the saw much more difficult to use outside. iQ Power Tools has a solution for that: the world’s first 7” portable dry table saw with integrated dust control.

Mar 8, 2021

Mar 1, 2021

[VIDEO] SkyTy is the Drone That Ties Rebar From the Sky

Mar 1, 2021

Just over a year ago, I was introduced to an early prototype of the SkyMul SkyTy, which is a robotic drone with a rebar tying attachment designed to autonomously locate and tie rebar on the jobsite. After a year of tweaks and advancements, SkyMul is now on their third prototype and they showed off those improvements in a new video.

Mar 1, 2021

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Feb 22, 2021

[VIDEO] Volvo Announces Mid-Size Electric Excavator, the EX03

Feb 22, 2021

Like most of the other electric machines that have been announced previously, Volvo promises that this midsized, 14 metric ton excavator will have the same performance as a similarly sized diesel version. The X03 is currently in the concept stage, so Volvo does not have immediate plans to bring it to market, but it shows the possibilities that electronics on heavy machinery can allow for.

Feb 22, 2021