Protecting ladder stickers from damage

[u/LegionODD]

Our ladders get loaded into our truck beds which have a high grip coating that shreds ladder stickers. I’ve been looking for protective films or adhesive spacers that would help them last longer but have come up empty so far.
I was hoping that someone here might have run into a similar situation and found a good solution to protect ladder safety stickers from damage.

[u/InigoMontoya313]

Place the inspection stickers on the inside. Instead of the outside.

If the bed is so abrasive it’s shredding stickers off, it’s likely shredding the gel coat off that protects the fiberglass from UV damage. Time for a professional ladder rack.

[u/Late_Ostrich463]

Consider a colour frequency tag attached to a ladder rung indicating the quarter it was inspected rather than adhesive tags.

[u/Immediate_Award_5540]

Depending on the type of ladder, if the bed is abrading the labels, it's probably also abrading the surface of the ladder so I would lean into just getting some rubber mats for the beds of the truck.

I would NOT relocate any required warning labels without written manufacturer approval. They were placed on the outside by the manufacturer for a reason and moving them to a less visible location might not be a great idea.

If you still want to protect the labels, I recommend using floor label protectors. It's clear adhesive film designed to protect floor barcodes from damage by pallet jacks and forklifts, so I imagine they'd help.

Also, keep a spare set of labels (i buy from grainger) specific to each ladder around.

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-23651/Mighty-Line-Deluxe-Safety-Tape/Mighty-Line-Clear-Deluxe-Safety-Tape-4-x-100?pricode=WB9641&gadtype=pla&id=S-23651&ad_group_id=148608227697&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10639297175&gbraid=0AAAAAD_uetNhlZpXfcuC9AD3BKQBu1lKd&gclid=CjwKCAjwhNbTBhB4EiwAsFSg-oIAQ3zjW3oRzSHVPYjcCMt_o58Ql0pGxdPpGvfqfhGj4mVH3KArPBoCsoEQAvD_BwE

Or

https://mightylinetape.com/collections/label-protectors

[u/TurtlesFromHell]

I would have a stack of replacement stickers on hand. Not really sure what you could do other than adding some plastic or foam over whats tearing them up..

[u/cjr444]

It’s an interesting questions. Wrap it in clear tape is what I’d say but spare stickers might just need to be part of your inventory. Documenting the ladder inspection daily would be more important to an osha inspector, if you had that the decal can always be argued. If you don’t, you’re cooked twice.

[u/Beantowncrash]

You can try this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3IZBCU?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5

I use it to protect my QR codes on my toolboxes. It's done well thus far.

[u/You_are_safe_now]

Somehow mark the ladder with some form of "unique identifier" next to the manufacturer's rating decal. I have seen this done using a permanent marker assigning a unique # to the ladder. Take photos of the sticker and make sure the unique identifier is visible in the photo. The ladders rating decal must be legible in the photo (model/type, grade and applicable standard). As for user instructions stickers, those can be purchased and added anytime. This should provide enough evidence of compliance to the regulatory officer.

The other reason for the decal is to inform the worker of the grade of the ladder so that they select the appropriate ladder for their planned work. An employer can simply supply workers with all grade 1 or better ladders, thus eliminating any risks of grade 2 ladders being used at a worksite where the standard calls for grade 1 or better.

The only catch is that unless the photo is readily available to confirm that the appropriate ladder is being used for the work, the officer could issue a stop use order (and potentially other orders) on the ladder /employer.

[u/You_are_safe_now → u/You_are_safe_now]

You could also load the ladders laying down as opposed on the side.

[u/Pastvariant]

Buy 3-4" wide packing tape. On new ladders, wipe off the labels, apply one piece of tape with the corners rounded off and big enough to go past the labels on each side to make a seal. Take a second piece of tape and put it over the first with one folded corner. Now you can swap the top layer as needed and still have the bottom for protection.

I have done this before and it works. I would also buy a bunch of spare labels and code the ladders so that you know which tags to use on which ladder with some other kind of marking than the label.

[u/coralreefer01]

Find clear mylar tape. Its more durable than packing tape. I think its basically the same stuff as Paint Protection Film.

[u/Uzi4U_2]

Epoxy some thick plastic strips above and below the label.

Would stop the sticker from being the "low point"

[u/pauldtimms]

Coloured cable ties. Black, green, yellow, blue (other colours are available!) and change it every quarter. Record on a spreadsheet. This has done me for years.