How to Choose the Best Bus Step Stool for Your Senior Passengers

     In the research done to find out what makes a great bus step stool for seniors we at Shure-Step interviewed the directors at 4 retirement communities and 2 physical therapists working at rehab facilities specializing in hip & knee replacement. The directors of the retirement communities commented that their community's bus had a first step up to the bus of 12-13 inches. The residents were having a hard time stepping up to the first step on the bus. Getting off the bus was also difficult. The directors said that they had tried some of the cheap flimsy step stools that were bought at a nearby big box store. The senior residents didn't like them because the step "Didn't feel sturdy. And when you did get on them it felt like you were going to break it".

     When the directors were asked if they had ever used anything that worked well for the seniors to get on their buses one replied that they used to have an old wooden Coke bottle crate that was wrapped in carpet. The Coke crate had cut the distance from the ground to the first step on the bus and it was sturdy and safe enough that the seniors didn't feel like they would slip or tip over. When asked if there was anything else the directors would do to make this step even better the seniors they replied "Make it bright with contrasting colors so the visually impaired seniors could see the step better.

     When the physical therapists were asked what they wanted for a rehab step stool it needed to be 6 inches high because the first exercise for their patients after knee or hip replacement is a 6 inch step up and down.

     To find a great step stool for your senior transportation bus you will need to find a step stool that is rated for at least 500 pounds, large enough so senior passengers can fit both feet on top comfortably, bright contrasting colors to make it easy to see, lightweight so the bus driver can load it easily, a textured top surface so slick shoes won't slip in the rain, and make sure you inspect the bottom of the step stool for large rubber pads to keep the step stool from slipping on slick concrete.

     If you follow this list you will absolutely know you have the best step stool for your senior transportation bus.

Is a Fold Up Bathroom Step Stool Safe

Is There a Step Stool That Seniors Can Use To Get On a Bus Safely

What makes one step stool better than another to assist senior citizens or physically handicapped passengers entering a bus with the first bus stair step at 10 to 13 inches from the ground?

First you have to determine if the step stool being used is going to get kicked around or not. Second, you need to know if the driver of the bus will be assisting the senior passengers up to the bus stairs. Third, is the step stool going to help or hinder the passenger either boarding or disembarking the bus?

Let's tackle the first issue: Most step stools have legs. When a visually impaired senior citizen is approaching the bus stairs and a step stool with legs is set in place to assist that passenger up to the first bus step it is entirely possible for the senior passenger to misjudge where the top of the step stool is. They mistakenly think that their first foot is on top of the step when really it is under the step between the legs. When the senior passenger tries to bring their second foot up...they fall because their first foot is caught under the step. The Shure-Step Senior Step has a perimeter wall that keeps the passenger's foot from getting under the step stool. It is entirely possible that the senior passenger could kick the side of the Shure-Step moving it from it's desired position but since this step stool weighs 10 pounds and has large rubber pads on the bottom, it is unlikely to happen unless the passenger gives it a soccer ball kick.

Second issue: Some companies require that the bus driver be present at the bus door whenever passengers board or disembark. This action assures that the passengers have an extra layer of fall prevention at the most critical moment of their bus travel. When the bus driver is present to help passengers fewer falls occur. It makes no sense to have the bus driver anywhere else other than this, but this action is often overlooked by some transportation companies. Be sure to ask if driver assistance will be available when booking your travel.

Third issue: If the step stool used assist the senior passengers on and off the bus isn't the correct height a senior passenger might stumble on it whether they be trying to get on or off the bus. If the passenger can't see the step stool very well they could misjudge it and step off the side of the step causing a fall. Is the step stool rated for at least a 500 pound load? If not it could cause a fall because the passenger may feel unstable and become nervous; Creating a dangerous situation for the passenger.



Finally, be sure to check with your transportation company and ask what kind of step stool and assistance they offer to passengers using their service. If you don't like the answer, choose another bus company. Or contact Shure-Step.com to get a safe step stool for your loved one.

CLICK HERE to order Shure-Steps

Does Your Step Stool Meet OSHA Regulations ANSI Standards?

Shure-Steps are load rated for 500 pounds, all but two models have 6 large rubber pads on the bottom to keep them from sliding on slick or wet floors. The Shure-Steps also have non-slip top surface to prevent shoes from slipping. A few of the companies that have tested and use Shure-Step products are: Boeing, United Airlines, Ford, Chrysler, Greyhound Bus, US Airways, Winn-Dixie Grocery Stores, Piggly Wiggly Grocery Stores. According to OSHA, there are no requirements for general purpose step stools under the height of 24 inches. Any step stools that are 24 inches or higher are required to have a handrail. The OSHA regulations for step stools are woven within the "Stairways & Ladders" Regulation 1926.1053 which is much too lengthy to print here.

We have reprinted the ANSI Standard for step stools below.

ANSI ASC A14.5-2007 American National Standards for Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements

This standard prescribes rules governing the safe construction, design, testing, care and use of portable reinforced plastic ladders of various Types and styles. Ladder Types included are:

Duty Rating             Ladder Type     Working Load (pounds)
Special Duty                  IAA                     375
Extra Heavy-Duty        IA                     300
Heavy-Duty                   I                          250
Medium-Duty              II                         225
Light-Duty                    III                        200

Ladder styles include ladder type step stools, portable extension, step, trestle, sectional, combination, single, platform, and articulating ladders, but excluding ladders in and on mines, the fire services, mobile equipment, hoisting equipment, work platforms, antenna communications towers, transmission towers, utility poles, and chimneys. It does not cover special-purpose ladders that do not meet the general requirements of this standard, nor does it cover ladder accessories, including, but not limited to, ladder levelers, ladder stabilizers or stand-off devices, ladder jacks, or ladder straps or hooks, that may be installed on or used in conjunction with ladders.

Note: Ladder type step stools are covered by A14.5. It is recognized that a step stool standard is under development. When the step stool standard is approved, A14.5 will no longer cover ladder type step stools.These requirements are also intended to prescribe rules and criteria for labeling/marking of the kinds of portable ladders cited in this standard, but exclusive of furniture type step stools and special purpose ladders. These labeling/marking requirements do not apply to those situations where training, supervision, or documented safety procedures would be in conflict, or serve in lieu of, these labeling/marking requirements.