Customers can often get confused by Standards and Certifications when it comes to choosing a ladder.
EN131 is a guideline, not a law:
The EN131 standard, including Part 7, outlines design and testing requirements for ladders, but it’s not a legally enforced regulation for manufacturers or users.
While not a legal mandate, professional safety organizations like the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Trading Standards expect manufacturers to comply with EN131.
UK regulations (Work at Height Regulations 2005) require employers to ensure ladders are suitable for the job, regularly inspected, and maintained.
There are many versions of the EN131 standards which cover different types of equipment for working at height. The standard for warehouse steps fall under EN131 Part 7, mobile ladders with a platform.
The full list of the EN131 standards are as follows:
BS EN 131 Part 1:2015+A1:2019 – Ladders – Terms, types functional sizes
BS EN 131 Part 2:2010+A2:2017 – Requirements, testing, marking
BS EN 131 Part 3:2018 – Marking and user instructions
BS EN 131 Part 4:2007 – Single or multiple hinge joint ladders
BS EN 131 Part 6:2019 – Telescopic ladders
BS EN 131 Part 7:2013 – Mobile ladders with platform
What are the requirements of BS EN131-7?
BS EN131 Part 7 sets out specific requirements and specifications to manufacturers, to enable them to design and manufacture a high-quality product. As part of EN131-7 the requirements of the standards include; minimum and maximum dimensions for toe plates, rail heights, rail gaps and tread rise.
When it comes to warehouse steps that are approved and manufactured to EN131-7, unfortunately your options are limited. There are only a few manufacturer’s that actually manufacture steps and certify them to this standard. The steptek range is one that is certified to these standards.
The main reason for a lack of availability with EN131-7 warehouse steps is mainly commercial, the associated costs of putting warehouse steps through testing is high and often noted manufacturers would not see the benefit.
Are Non-Certified steps safe to use?
Many non-certified steps not only meet but actually exceed the requirements set out in EN131-7.
For example most mobile steps and ranges on our site have been tested by an independent testing house and certified load certificates have been issued at either 300Kg or 500Kg SWL weight. These steps are not certified but they exceed the measurements and specifications required by EN131-7!
