"Load capacity" for stepladders and ladders: Safe work begins with the correct choice

Introduction

For those working in Vietnam’s manufacturing, construction, and logistics industries, ladders and stepladders are essential tools. However, there is always a risk of accidents associated with working at heights. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, there were many occupational accidents in the construction industry in 2023, and one of the causes was the use of inappropriate equipment. To ensure a safe working environment, it is crucial to select the right tools for the task at hand. This article focuses on “load capacity,” the most important factor in choosing ladders and stepladders, and explains its meaning, how to choose the right product, and the value that products meeting strict Japanese standards can bring to Vietnamese worksites.

The Problem and Its Background

Why is “Load Capacity” Important?

Many accidents during high-altitude work occur due to the collapse or damage of ladders and stepladders. The root cause of these accidents is often the use of the equipment in a way that ignores its “load capacity.” Load capacity refers to the maximum weight that a product can safely support. This value must include not only the weight of the worker but also all the dynamic loads that occur during the work, such as tools, materials, and shifts in body weight.

<div class=”data-box”>Key Data: Occupational Accident Statistics in Vietnam

In the first half of 2023, there were 3,445 occupational accidents nationwide in Vietnam (including 2,504 fatalities).
Approximately 82% of occupational accidents occurred in the four major sectors: construction, manufacturing, logistics, and mining.
The construction industry had the highest number of fatal accidents, with the use of inappropriate equipment being one of the causes.
The manufacturing industry, in particular, has many accidents from falling from heights.

Source: Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (Vietnam)</div>

While there are broad national standards (TCVN) for construction and building in Vietnam, detailed standards specifically for the load capacity of ladders and stepladders are not widely known. On the other hand, products that meet strict Japanese safety standards can bring a new level of safety to Vietnamese worksites.

Risks Faced at the Worksite

Ignoring load capacity and using an inappropriate ladder or stepladder can lead to the following risks:

Product Damage and Collapse: Exceeding the load capacity can cause the frame or steps to bend or break. This can lead to the sudden loss of balance and result in a collapse.
Unstable Working Environment: Using the product at its maximum load capacity can cause it to sway and wobble. This makes the worker feel unstable, leading to a loss of concentration, decreased work efficiency, and a higher risk of losing balance and falling.
Legal Liability: If an occupational accident occurs, the company or site supervisor may be held legally responsible for selecting or using equipment that does not meet safety standards or is inappropriate for the task.

The Reliable “Load Capacity”: Introducing Hasegawa’s Products

How to Choose Based on Your Task

The ladders and stepladders provided by Hasegawa are designed to meet the strict demands of professionals, and each has a different load capacity standard. To choose the right product, it is important to consider the following points:

For professional use, choose a “Maximum Working Load” of 130 kg or more: In construction sites and factories, workers often carry heavy tools and materials in addition to their body weight. For these professional environments, it is safest to choose a ladder or stepladder with a maximum working load exceeding 130 kg. For example, Hasegawa Kogyo’s professional-grade scaffolding platforms have a high maximum load capacity of 120 kg, designed to withstand demanding worksite conditions.
For home and light-duty work, choose a “Maximum Working Load” of 100 kg or more: For DIY projects and light work at home, portability is also important, but you should choose a product with a minimum maximum working load of 100 kg. This ensures a safe working environment.
Calculate the actual load: The load capacity of a ladder is the total mass of the worker’s body, tools, and materials. For example, if a worker weighing 75 kg carries 10 kg of tools and 5 kg of materials, the total load is 90 kg. Choosing a product with a generous load capacity based on this calculation is key to preventing accidents.

Why Hasegawa Products Are Trusted

Hasegawa manufactures products that meet Japan’s strict safety standards. This is based not only on static load capacity tests but also on the company’s unique manufacturing philosophy: “You’ll know its reliability when you step on it.”.

Thorough “Human Verification”: In addition to public standards tests, Hasegawa Kogyo conducts thorough verifications of sensory elements such as “sway,” “flex,” and “sound” by having people actually get on the product during the design phase. This achieves a sense of “security” and “stability” that cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Global Quality Control System: The Da Nang factory in Vietnam is positioned as one of the four test centers of the Hasegawa Group, along with those in Japan and China. This guarantees that strict Japanese quality standards are maintained even at overseas production bases.

Choosing a Hasegawa product means not only getting a high-quality tool but also getting the “safety” that is backed by the Japanese philosophy of craftsmanship.

The Reliability of Hasegawa

Quality Control and International Certifications

Hasegawa’s products are designed to comply with safety standards in various countries, including Japan’s Temporary Construction Equipment Association certification. This proves that the products meet international quality and safety standards. In particular, Japanese industrial ladders have two types of maximum working loads: 100 kg (for light work) and 130 kg (for professional use), and Hasegawa manufactures products that comply with these standards. Using Hasegawa’s products on a Vietnamese worksite is equivalent to introducing strict Japanese safety standards.

Conclusion

Safety in high-altitude work begins with choosing the right tools. The “load capacity” of a ladder or stepladder is the most important indicator for protecting a worker’s life. We strongly recommend the following points to everyone working at Vietnamese worksites:

Choose a product with a load capacity that matches the purpose and working environment.
Consider the weight of tools and materials in addition to the worker’s body weight, and choose a product with a generous capacity.
Recognize that Hasegawa’s products, which have cleared strict Japanese safety standards, bring a new level of safety and reliability to Vietnamese worksites.

Hasegawa is not just a ladder manufacturer; it is a “safety partner” that puts the safety of those working in the field first. We hope that our products will contribute to the development of Vietnam’s manufacturing, construction, and logistics industries and help build a future where all workers can work with peace of mind.

“Load capacity” for stepladders and ladders: Safe work begins with the correct choice