Ladder Load Ratings: What the Numbers Mean
Every ladder sold in Europe carries an EN 131 rating that specifies its maximum working load. Understanding this rating prevents accidents and ensures you're on the right side of health and safety legislation.
EN 131 Load Classes
| Class | Max Load | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (DIY) | 150 kg | Occasional home use |
| Professional (EN 131-2) | 150 kg + additional testing | Trade and professional use |
| Heavy Duty Industrial | 175–200 kg | Industrial and construction |
What "Maximum Load" Includes
The load rating includes everything on the ladder: your body weight plus all clothing and PPE plus all tools and equipment you're carrying. A 90kg person wearing 5kg PPE carrying 10kg of tools = 105kg total load. Still within 150kg, but the margin matters.
When to Choose a Higher-Rated Ladder
If your total load regularly exceeds 130kg, choose an industrial-rated 175kg ladder for the safety margin. There's no meaningful price difference for most ladder sizes.
Ladder vs Platform Load Ratings
Working platforms have separate ratings that typically specify a uniformly distributed load rather than a point load. A platform rated at 200kg distributed load is not the same as a ladder rated at 150kg point load at any rung.
FAQ
Does the EN 131 rating cover the whole ladder or just the rungs?
The rating covers the entire ladder system under the specified test conditions — rungs, stiles, locks and base feet must all pass. It's a whole-system rating.
