Evaluation of a “walk-through” ladder top design during ladder-roof transitioning tasks

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of an extension ladder “walk-through” top design on kinetic and kinematic behaviors and the outward destabilizing forces induced on the ladder during transitioning at elevation. Thirty-two male participants performed stepping tasks between a ladder top and a roof at simulated elevation in a surround-screen virtual-reality system. The experimental conditions included a “walk-through” and a standard ladder top section supported on flat and sloped roof surfaces. Three force platforms were placed under the ladder section and in the roof to measure propulsion forces during transitions. A motion measurement system was used to record trunk kinematics. The frictional demand at the virtual ladder base was also calculated. The results indicate that under optimal ladder setup (angle 75.5°), the frictional demand at the ladder base remains relatively small for all experimental conditions. Also, the “walk through” ladder top eased the ladder-to-roof transitions but not the roof-to-ladder transitions.

Ladder Use Ability, Behavior and Exposure by Age and Gender

“…Experimental ladder safety research has focused primarily on a single age group [ 16 , 17 , 21 , 22 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The majority of this research has been conducted on healthy younger adults or occupational ladder users [ 16 , 17 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Ladder use is a complex task, requiring physical and cognitive attributes [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Experimental ladder safety research has focused primarily on a single age group [16,17,21,22,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. The majority of this research has been conducted on healthy younger adults or occupational ladder users [16,17,28,29,31,[33][34][35][36][37][38].…”