New features of the EN 131 safety standards
Safety standards are used to enforce safe practices of both products and their users.
They protect against accidents at work and form the basis for reliable technical conduct.
We at JUST Leitern AG are aware of our responsibility to our customers, and always design and inspect our products
meticulously to meet these standards. The new edition of EN 131-1 + 2 which has been mandatory for all ladder manufacturers since the beginning of 2018, includes some new changes in terms of your occupational safety.
STAND BROADENING FOR LEANING LADDERS
All ladders that are used as leaning ladders and exceed a length of 3 m must be widened at the feet by using a Stabiliser bar. Alternatively, the stability can be ensured by using hooks to hang the ladder or additional bracing to create an A-frame support.
The width is a maximum of 1,2 m and depends on the length of the ladder.
NON-REMOVABLE LADDER PIECES
Removable, independently functional ladder pieces for sliding or multi-purpose ladders longer than 3 m must either be secured before removal or equipped with a Stabiliser bar according to EN-131-1.
STILE STRENGTH TEST FOR LEANING- AND STEPLADDERS
The strength test is done in the ladders usual position. A test load of 2.700 N (approx. 275 kg) for ladders of the professional categorie or 2.250 N (approx. 229 kg) fo ladders of the non-professional categorie, is applied on the rung.
After one minute the ladder must not be damaged and must retain its functionality.
TORSION TEST FOR STEPLADDERS
To test the torsional stiffness of the stepladder a 0.5 m long steel bar is attached to the uppermost rung. The ladder foot on the opposite side is then secured using a clamp. A vertical load of 736 N (approx. 75 kg) is then applied to the ladders plattform or the uppermost rung.
For the final testing a horizontal force of 137 N (approx. 14 kg) is applied to the outer end of the attached steel bar.
When the test load is being applied, the other ladder foot should not move more than 25 mm from its original position.
CONTINUOUS STRESS TEST FOR STEPLADDERS
As a preperation, one foot of the ladder will be heightened using a 20 mm thick plate. Also anti-slip panels are placed underneath each ladder leg.
For the stress test a load of 1.500 N (ca. 153 kg) is applied alternately between the topmost rund and middle rung of the ladder. This action is repeated 50.000 times for ladders in the professional categorie and 10.000 times for ladders in the non-professional categorie.
At the end of the test there should be no damage to the ladder.
BASE SLIP TEST FOR LEANING LADDERS
To test the non-slipping property of the ladder its placed in its normal position on a glass panel.
A force of 1.471 N (approx. 150 kg) is then applied four times on the last rung allowed to stand on. In order to pass the test the feet of the ladder should not slide more than 40 mm during this process.
TORSION TEST FOR LEANING LADDERS
To test the torsional stiffness of the leaning ladder two steps are necessary. First you apply a load of 491 N (approx. 50 kg) to the middle of the ladder for 30 seconds. The ladder must be in a horizontal lying position. This is done to determine the initial value.
In the next step, a load of 638 N (approx. 65 kg) is applied to one of the beams while the deformation of both beams is measured relatively to the initial value.
The difference factor between the deformation of the two beams is not allowed to exceed the number of 0.07 times the ladder width.
Whats does that mean for your buisness?
Ladders must fit all these requirements. All of our JUST ladders are categorised as professional ladders and as a result are of best quality when it comes to safety and durability. Therefore an upgrade is advised but not mandatory! Already existing ladders, manufactured in accordance to the old EN 131 can still be used in businesses. In the end its your responsibility to reasure the safety of the ladder for a specific task.