Which portable ladder rating should be used for an employee weighing 270 pounds?

Which portable ladder rating should be used for an employee weighing 270 pounds?

• A. Light Duty
• B. Medium Duty
• C. Heavy Duty
• D. Extra Heavy Duty

Answer: (D)

Ladders are rated by the maximum safe load they can carry. The ratings map to approximate weight capacities: Light Duty around 200 pounds, Medium Duty about 225 pounds, Heavy Duty about 250 pounds, and Extra Heavy Duty about 300 pounds. With a worker weighing 270 pounds, only the Extra Heavy Duty ladder stays within its rated limit. The others would exceed their capacity and could fail, creating a fall hazard. Also, in real work you should include tools and dynamic forces (moving, reaching) in the total load, so choose a ladder with a comfortable margin above the expected total weight.

Ladders are rated by the maximum safe load they can carry. The ratings map to approximate weight capacities: Light Duty around 200 pounds, Medium Duty about 225 pounds, Heavy Duty about 250 pounds, and Extra Heavy Duty about 300 pounds. With a worker weighing 270 pounds, only the Extra Heavy Duty ladder stays within its rated limit. The others would exceed their capacity and could fail, creating a fall hazard. Also, in real work you should include tools and dynamic forces (moving, reaching) in the total load, so choose a ladder with a comfortable margin above the expected total weight.