Introduction
In construction sites, factory maintenance, warehouse picking, or store shelf stocking—there are countless situations where ladders and step stools are essential. These are convenient tools that allow easy access to high places, but one wrong step can lead to a serious accident. So, what is the most important thing to know to work safely?
The answer lies in understanding the “load capacity” indicated on the product. Correctly interpreting this number and choosing an appropriate ladder or stool is the first step toward ensuring safety.
This article focuses on the concept of “load capacity” for ladders and step stools. We will explain its basic meaning, importance, relevant standards, and specific points for choosing safe products that meet the needs of your work environment.
This content is especially relevant for team leaders, workers, equipment managers, safety officers, and procurement staff in Vietnam who regularly use ladders and step stools as part of their job.
In recent years, interest in occupational health and safety has been growing in Vietnam, and the need for safer work environments is becoming more urgent. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is my site really safe?” we hope this article will help you reexamine safety by returning to the basics—starting with load capacity.
Why Is Load Capacity So Important?
When choosing ladders or step stools, it’s easy to focus on design, price, or height. However, the most important value to check first is the “load capacity.” But what exactly does this term mean?
Simply put, load capacity refers to the maximum weight the product can safely support structurally. What’s especially important here is that this isn’t just about the weight of the person using it. You must also factor in the tools, materials, and safety gear carried during the task. For example, climbing while holding heavy parts or placing a paint can on a step adds significant weight beyond the user’s body mass.
You might also see the term “maximum working load,” which is often used interchangeably with load capacity. Either way, it represents the maximum weight the manufacturer guarantees can be safely used, and it is a strict limit that must be respected.
What happens if this limit is exceeded? Imagine this: excessive force on a ladder or stool can cause metal fatigue, loosen joints, or lead to structural failure—bent rails, cracked steps, or spreading legs. If this happens, the user can fall from a height, risking bruises, fractures, or even life-threatening injuries.
Thoughts like “My weight is just under the limit” or “It’s just slightly over this time…” can lead to tragedy. In fact, many workplace accidents still occur due to using equipment that exceeds its load rating. These reports remind us that observing load capacity isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a life-saving rule. Safe work begins by following this fundamental principle.
Basic Knowledge for Understanding Load Capacity
Now that we’ve reviewed the importance of load capacity, let’s deepen our understanding with some foundational knowledge. These points directly impact product selection and safe usage.
How to Calculate Load Capacity: Always Include a Safety Margin
The basic formula when thinking about load capacity is:
“User’s body weight” + “Weight of tools, materials, and safety gear used during work”
This total must fall within the specified load capacity (or maximum working load) of the ladder or step stool.
For example, if a worker weighs 80 kg, carries a 15 kg toolbox, and wears safety gear (helmet, harness) weighing about 5 kg, the total is . A product with a 100kg load capacity would offer no safety margin, so a product rated at 130kg or more would be the better, safer choice.
Always anticipate real working conditions and choose a ladder or stool with a bit of extra capacity. This is key to ensuring safety.
How to Read Product Labels: Make Safety Checks a Habit
Ladders and step stools always include a label showing product specs and safety details. Think of this label as a “performance certificate.” Get in the habit of checking the following before each use:
- Load Capacity / Maximum Working Load: Clearly shown as a number like “100kg”—this is the most critical value.
- Model Number / Product Name: Useful for identifying the product when checking manuals or contacting the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer Name: Check whether the product is from a trusted brand.
- Safety Certification Marks: These include JIS (Japan), SG (Japan), TCVN (Vietnam), EN131 (Europe), and others. These marks are proof that a third-party has verified the product’s safety.
- Handling Precautions: Some labels include instructions or warnings in brief.
It is crucial that these labels are legible and intact. If they are worn, unreadable, or missing, do not use the product—you cannot verify its safety. Include label checks in your routine inspections.
Key Safety Standards: Objective Indicators of Reliability
There are several well-established safety standards that indicate whether a product meets minimum safety requirements. These cover product structure, strength, materials, labeling, and more.
- Japanese Standards: JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)
JIS provides national standards for a wide range of industrial products. For ladders and stools (e.g., JIS S1121), it defines shapes, dimensions, testing methods, labeling, and load classifications (e.g., 100kg for standard use, 130kg+ for industrial use). Products with the JIS mark meet these rigorous criteria and are highly trusted in Japan. - Vietnamese Standards: TCVN & Occupational Safety Law
TCVN standards (e.g., TCVN 5593:2012 for metal ladders) ensure safety and quality within Vietnam. The country’s Occupational Safety Law requires that businesses use tools and equipment that meet safety standards. Compliance is mandatory for companies operating in Vietnam. - International Standards: ISO & EN131
ISO sets global benchmarks. EN131 is a widely accepted European standard for ladder safety, covering design principles, materials, strength tests, and labeling. It’s known for its strict requirements, and many high-quality ladders worldwide meet this standard.
Certification marks that show compliance with these safety standards are crucial selection criteria, especially for professional and industrial use. Always choose products that meet these recognized standards to ensure workplace safety.
Key Points for Choosing Safe Ladders and Step Stools Based on Use and Worksite
Now that we’ve understood load capacity and safety standards, let’s move on to the practical steps of choosing the right product. The optimal ladder or step stool depends on the site conditions and the nature of the work.
Load Capacity and Material: Matching Product to Worksite Needs
The material of a ladder or step stool affects its strength, weight, usage scenarios, and load capacity. Let’s compare the features of the three main types:
- Aluminum (Aluminum Alloy)
- Pros: Lightweight, easy to carry, rust-resistant, low maintenance, and generally affordable.
- Cons: Conducts electricity—never use near electrical work. May be weaker than FRP or steel in terms of strength.
- Typical Load Capacity: Around 100–150 kg for industrial models.
- Best for: Light-duty work, frequent transport, indoor tasks. Versatile and widely applicable.
- FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic)
- Pros: High insulation, does not conduct electricity, good resistance to chemicals.
- Cons: Heavier and more expensive than aluminum.
- Typical Load Capacity: Mainly between 100–150 kg.
- Best for: Electrical work, telecom installation, chemical plant environments—any setting with electric or corrosive risk.
- Steel
- Pros: Extremely strong, highly durable, and impact-resistant.
- Cons: Very heavy, harder to move and set up. Prone to rust—anti-corrosion treatment is important.
- Typical Load Capacity: Often exceeds 150 kg, some models support over 200 kg.
- Best for: Lifting heavy materials, stationary work platforms, or harsh environments requiring maximum strength and stability.
As you can see, each material has trade-offs. Don’t choose on impulse—match the material to your worksite’s specific requirements: “We need insulation, so FRP,” “We move it a lot, so aluminum,” or “We handle heavy loads, so steel.”
Use Case Matters: Clear Distinction Between Professional and Home Use
Ladders and step stools on the market are generally labeled either “for professional use” or “for household use.” This distinction isn’t just naming—it reflects real differences in design philosophy, durability, and load rating.
- Professional Use: Designed for frequent and continuous use in demanding environments like construction sites, factories, or warehouses. These products use tougher materials, have more durable construction, and typically support 130 kg or more as per JIS and other standards.
- Household Use: Intended for occasional, short-term tasks such as DIY, changing bulbs, or cleaning. They focus on lightness and compact storage, but durability and load capacity are usually lower—100 to 120 kg is common.
It is critical not to use household ladders or stools in professional environments. Even if the load capacity seems sufficient, repeated use can quickly wear out the parts or cause metal fatigue, dramatically increasing the risk of failure and injury. Always match the product type to your work conditions and usage frequency.
Safety Checkpoints Beyond Load Capacity: Often Overlooked, Always Vital
Safe ladder and stool selection doesn’t end with load capacity and material. Check these points too—they affect stability, usability, and ultimately accident prevention:
- Stability: Are the locking mechanisms on the legs secure? Does it wobble when set up? Are the leg caps intact and gripping the floor properly? (This is crucial!)
- Structural Integrity: Are there any bends, cracks, or major deformations on the rails or steps? Any loose rivets or welds? On telescopic or folding types, does the locking mechanism function correctly to prevent collapse during use?
- Additional Safety Features: Is there a handrail to support climbing? Are the steps deep and wide enough for stable footing? (Important for frequent use or tasks requiring awkward postures.)
Paying attention to these finer details helps you choose a safer, more reliable tool.
Hasegawa Vietnam’s Perspective: A Commitment to Quality and Safety
At Hasegawa Kogyo—and Hasegawa Vietnam—we have spent more than half a century designing and manufacturing ladders, step stools, and work platforms that meet the stringent demands of professionals. From product planning to design, manufacturing, and quality control, we maintain high safety standards under our founding philosophy: “Safety takes priority over everything.”
Our products not only comply with Japan’s JIS standards but also actively meet stricter international standards such as EN131 (Europe). Under a comprehensive quality management system, each product is crafted with precision. Regarding load capacity, we go beyond minimum regulatory compliance—we also account for repeated use and long-term durability through careful material selection and structural design.
To meet a wide variety of needs beyond standard offerings, we also specialize in custom-designed products (made-to-order) tailored to specific environments and uses. Whether it’s “a ladder with just the right height” or “a work platform customized for a specific machine setup,” our experienced engineers will propose the optimal solution.
But we don’t stop at product delivery. We offer full support from pre-purchase consultations to post-purchase maintenance advice and safe usage guidance. Our goal is to be more than just a manufacturer—we aim to be a trusted partner in creating safer work environments for our customers.
Conclusion: Safe High-Access Work Starts With Knowledge and the Right Product
This article has explored the most fundamental and vital element of ladder and step stool safety—load capacity. We’ve discussed what it means, why it matters, and how to choose safe products accordingly.
Load capacity is more than a number—it’s your lifeline when working at height. Always ensure that the combined weight of the user and any tools, materials, or safety gear remains within the product’s rated load capacity. This is the golden rule, and it must never be ignored.
To ensure you select and use ladders and stools safely, remember these daily checkpoints:
- □ Clarify your use case: What kind of work? Who will use it? What will they carry?
- □ Confirm load capacity: Calculate total weight (user + gear) and select a product with extra margin.
- □ Choose the right material: Match work environment (e.g., electrical risk) and performance needs (lightweight vs. strong).
- □ Check certifications: Verify compliance with standards like JIS, TCVN, or EN131.
- □ Inspect condition: Check stability (including leg caps), locking mechanisms, and for any damage.
- □ Make inspections routine: Conduct pre-use and regular inspections—stop use immediately if anything seems off.
Even the best product can only fulfill its performance if it’s selected correctly, used appropriately, and maintained daily. Never grow complacent—keeping safety top of mind is always the most important step.
At Hasegawa Vietnam, we are proud to offer high-quality, safe products tailored to your unique work environment and needs. If you have any questions about product selection, custom requests for specific tasks, or concerns about safety, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our expert staff is ready to support you.
We sincerely hope this article helps ensure your daily work is carried out in safety and confidence.