Ladders are built and designed to support a certain amount of weight safely. Duty ratings were setup to provide some guidance and standards governing the use of portable ladders in various types and styles.

Ladder styles include stepladders, step stools, combination ladders, platform ladders, single pole ladders and extension ladders.

Each duty rating relates to a correlating maximum weight capacity (or load capacity) that the ladder can safely carry. The maximum weight or load is the combination of several factors:

• Your weight, plus
• Weight of clothing and protective gear you’re wearing, plus
• Weight of tools and supplies being used and stored on the ladder