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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The ladder was originally designed as a means of getting from one height to another, but due to its lightweight, mobility and ease of use it has been a tempting product to use to perform work activities.Tradesmen, DIY workers and construction workers are stuck on tiny rungs for long periods with nowhere to store their equipment and have no convenient way of securing the ladder to the work surface. The extension ladder work station aims to facilitate the typical extension ladder as a safe working platform. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? The key innovations and benefits of the extension ladder include:1. The design gives the worker 10 times more foot space utilising a retractable foot platform 2. The design gives the worker 4 sided guarding whilst working 3. It gives the user the flexibility to work on a variety of work surfaces including around poles, corners and as a stand off for small windows, guttering and other obstacles 4. It gives the user 32 times more ladder to wall surface traction when working on flat walls 5. There is no need to carry tools up the ladder anymore as tools can be stored in the toolbox which can be attached to the ladder before making the ascent 6. The design provides convenient and secure access to frequently used tools on the ladder via the toolbox 7. The design allows the user to work safely hands free 8. The design provides a variable height work platform that portable scaffolding and platform ladders just can’t provide Aesthetically the design aims to address a market that finds value in durability and function. By utilising angled parallel lines and simple radiuses the design aims to provoke a rugged, masculine, industrial feel. The product features easy to use pull pins that automatically lock sliding telescopic rails in place, which makes the product easy to use and strong. The steps of setup and dismantling the extension ladder from the back of a truck or van to a fully functioning work platform can be performed in under a minute. The product can be stored or transported be a vehicle like existing ladders and can be transported by hand as the design only adds approximately 4KG to the design. The design is fully compliant to an array of Australian ladder and scaffolding standards. Structurally the product can hold 5 times the recommended safe working load of 150KG. The ladders materials comprise primarily of stock aluminium extrusions which are lightweight and rust resistant and is mainly assembled through welding and pop rivets. The rubber components use high-grip neoprene to maximise traction between the user and the platform. Ergonomic considerations include the optimisation of the hip breadth dimensions so the user has both the ability to be comfortable yet secured in place to reduce the temptation of the user over-reaching the guardrails. The whole top section including the guard rails and material tool box can be adjusted in height so users of any stature can have optimal guarding and reach distance. There is a genuine need for the adoption of safer construction products particularly on ladders. Falls from heights are the leading cause of death on Australian construction sites with 50 workers suffering fatal injuries each year. Deaths have been recorded from as little as 6 feet and when working high up on an extension ladder this risk is amplified. For companies the occurrence of injuries has a substantial impact on a project through loss of time, productivity as well as an overwhelming morale low for all employees involved. |
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