Step Stool Load Ratings and Step Stool OSHA Ratings

A step stool’s load rating is required to be attached to the step stool with a permanent label by companies doing business with the U.S. Government for safety reasons. Or the step stool has to have an OSHA rating and article number for the specific industry that the step stool will be used in, such as welding.

The only OSHA rating for step stools for use by the public, provides that if the step stool is over 24 inches in height, the step stool has to have a hand rail; Period. Any other OSHA rating is misleading at best, deceptive or illegal at worst.

If you encounter a step stool manufacturer making a claim other than a load rating you should be skeptical, not only about the claim but also the integrity of the company selling you their product. A reputable company will not overstate the realistic expectations of their products.

Another example of misuse of step stool ratings is a “Lab Tested to 1,000 Pounds” claim either on the sales material, packaging or web site. After you take the step stool out of the box and start to use the step stool, how are you going to remember the load rating a year later if it’s not labeled on the step stool? You probably won’t.

The reason a “Lab Tested at…” is misleading is usually the facts are omitted, this is often an unsubstantiated claim made for the sole purpose of trying to convince you that this step stool has been tested and meets certain requirements. Often times there have never been any tests done. Shameful!

How does a “Load Rating” differ from a “Tested At” claim? If the manufacturer has the guts to put a “Rated At” such-and-such pounds label on their step stool you can ask for a copy the load test. The load test is very detailed and shows under what parameters the test was performed. When a manufacturer makes a load rating claim for a step stool, it means that the step stool actually withstood a minimum of 4 times the load rating meaning that a 500 pound Load Rated step stool was “Lab Tested” at over 2,000 pounds.

So which do you want for your step stool, a load rating or “Lab Tested At” claim? Or would you rather have a bogus step stool OSHA rating number that says your step stool is OSHA approved for a welding shop and you’re using the step stool in a grocery store? Buyer Beware!!!

David C. DuPont had invented the safest Shurestep step stool not for his own gratification but specifically to help people prevent unwanted accident like he had before while using unsafe crate to stand on. That incident pushed David to create a more stable, sturdy and safest step stool anyone could use. Together with this excellent invention, David offers a unique and great guarantee that no one could just ignore.

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Why Should Seniors Choose A Safe Step Stool

If you are considering buying a safe step stool for your senior there are several special needs that MUST be addressed. Most seniors have less than perfect vision, right? Some are overweight and/or might not have the strength to get up on the step stool if it is too high for them to step up to, especially if they have recently had surgery.

Directors of independent retirement communities and assisted living communities are aware that the special needs of seniors must be addressed when using a step stool to help their residents enter and disembark a bus. The directors don’t like step stools that have legs because when entering a bus the senior can mistakenly put their foot under the step stool, loose their balance and fall.


The solution is a step stool that has a perimeter wall, like a box and the color of the step stool is bright enough for the senior to see. This allows the visually impaired senior to slide their foot to the step stool, and when they feel their toe touch the side of the step, raise their foot up and safely set it on top of the step stool. The height of the step stool is also very important! Physically challenged seniors cannot lift their foot more than about 6-7 inches. Make sure that the step stool you buy is within this range for ease of use to the senior.

The average weight of Americans is getting heavier; this is no different with seniors, so be sure to check for a minimum load rating on the step stool of 500 pounds. This will ensure that your senior is safe when boarding a bus or getting into bed or whatever the need is for their step stool. One last feature that you should be aware of is the top surface of the step stool. Is it large enough for a senior to stand on safely and does it have a non-slip surface designed to prevent your senior from slipping or sliding in wet weather?


There are a lot of step stools in the market today claiming to be the best on the market. You can find different types of step stools from folding step stools and you can even choose from plastic, wooden or metal step stools. If you have a tight budget, you might be tempted to choose one of the cheaper step stools. Some of these step stools claim to have the best features and promise to work the best for you. But, how do you know which one to pick for a senior or loved elder?

Simply follow the guidelines in this article and you’ll be sure to have the best step stool for your seniors. One question you should always ask yourself when buying a step stool for a senior is “If I were physically weak with poor vision, would I feel safe using this step stool for this purpose?”. Before you ever let a senior use a step stool, stand on it your self and test it. You’ll be glad you did!

David DuPont's Shurestep step stool has been trusted and respected by different award giving bodies and institution. It has been invented to help solve problems with safety as its main concern. You can check for yourself all the products on his site www.shurestep.com. Enjoy your visit!

CLICK HERE to order Shure-Steps