Werner Work Platform Safety Tip

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Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.

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Werner Work Platform Safety Tip


A few weeks ago I watched someone get onto a Werner Work Platform to reach a high section of a truck. I automatically looked to see if the safety latch was in place. It wasn't. I assisted the person off the platform and shared with them this tip.

ANYTIME you use a Werner Work Platform that YOU did not set-up by extending the legs and locking in place the safety latch - FIRST inspect the platform to make sure the OTHER GUY locked into place the safety latch. Otherwise the platform could collapse and take you with it.

While detailing the 2018 Bentley seen here and here, after wiping the wax off the roof I took a few moments to take a few pictures to create this thread in an effort to help others avoid getting hurt when using this commonly used platform when detailing cars.


Here's a Werner Work Platform

I just set this one up and have NOT secured the safety latch. This is what I look for anytime I see someone using one of these platforms - I look to see if the safety latch is correctly latched.

Werner_Safety_01.JPG




Here is the safety latch locked out of the way when not in use.

Werner_Safety_02.JPG




To correctly and safely use the Werner Work Platform - disconnect the latch from the storage location and secure it correctly to lock the legs in place.

Werner_Safety_03.JPG




It should look like this when in use.

Werner_Safety_04.JPG




Safety Tip

If you did not set-up a work platform - before standing on it or letting anyone else stand on it, look to see if the safety latch is correctly in place.

And do others a favor around you when you see someone using one of these platforms - simply look to see if the safety latch is running vertical, top to bottom in line with the leg. If not, carefully approach the person and assist them off the platform and then share this tip with them.



:)
 
More...



And here's a way to get more use out of one of these commonly used platforms for detailing.

Short extension

Most of the time people set-up the platform to reach tall vehicles, like when washing the roof of a Tahoe. This was me getting ready to wash this Tahoe in this thread.

Black_Tahoe_Production_2_Step_019.jpg



2 Platforms side-by-side

And even smarter, set two side by side when washing one side, (or any other work like machine buffing the roof), so you can simply walk back and forth on them instead of getting up and down and up and down to move them from end to end like you see in this review.

FLEXCB_017.JPG





Real handy for washing this Ford Raptor

2_platforms_side-by-side.JPG





Here's another way to use this handy-dandy platform when you only need a few inches of height. For example when I needed to reach the middle of the roof on the Bentley.

2018_B_Cont_GTR3_01.JPG




Instead extending the legs and latching the safety latches, leave the legs collapsed. Like this,

Get_Low_001.JPG


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This will give you 5.5" of height and often times that's enough to reach the top comfortably and without strain or leaning against the car.

Get_Low_011.JPG


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Here's the roof on the Bentley and at 5' 11" I can reach the middle but not without standing on my tippy toe.

Get_Low_004.JPG




With the extra 5.5" I can easily and without strain reach the middle.

Get_Low_005.JPG





IMPORTANT
I'm sharing this tip because many of you ALREADY have one of these Werner Work Platforms in your tool arsenal. While the tip above works well there is a safety issue with using the work platform in this manner. Because the legs are folded in, due to the hinge placement, there's a space of about 4 inches on the end of each side of the working side of the platform that is NOT supported.

Get_Low_008.JPG


Get_Low_009.JPG



If you step out on the end of the working surface you will tip the platform like a seesaw.

Get_Low_006.JPG




And this can cause you to fall. So THINK when using the platform this way. I've been using it like this for years without an accident but this usage is not for the lowest common denominator among us. You could create a wood block to sit under each end and that would make this a safer way to use the platform in this manner.

Get_Low_010.JPG




Also - slippage
We use Racedeck Tuffshield tiles in our garage and they can be slippery with aluminum on them. So can a lot of concrete floors and painted floors. So to avoid having the platform slip out from under you place something rubbery under each end of the collapsed legs. I've used rubber truck floor matts with good success and also worn-out Nanoskin pads.

Get_Low_012.JPG


Get_Low_013.JPG


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Just something I do for a few extra inches of height while being safe at the same time with tools I already have in the garage.



:)
 
Great tips Mike. Way to cover all the bases.
I’ve never thought about laying it flat to gain just a couple of inches of reach but I’ll definitely try that sometime. Thanks.
 
Good tips. I love mine.

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Any time a safety tip is posted, it is a GOOD thing.
 
That's why when I was in the USAF as a flightline crew chief no matter what we used we had to sign a check in /check out inspection sheet. Even on our stands we used. They taught us to pay attention to details. In our tech manuals, it was notes, cautions and warnings. Notes get your attention, cautions take a piece of you and warnings kill you. This stuck with me sinece 1986. Thanks for posting Mike.
 
good tip Mike. I'm a stickler for observing people in the work force & pointing out potential hazards. another thing to remember when you're on one of those platforms, is reach. when you're reaching over the roof your thigh is up against the side of your vehicle. the more you reach it cause your thigh to kick out your feet. which will roll back your platform or footstool. and unless you have a roof rack to grab on you're going down. hope I explained it good enough.
Carlo

also reaching over the hood or windshield. I myself take the extra minute and go around the other side. I've had enough close calls too not push my luck.
 
I own (2) of these Werner platforms and they are invaluable around the house. But they can become slippery when they get wet and I learned my lesson the hard way when using one when I was washing the house siding. So here's my safety tip - add an anti-slip material to the platform area that you stand on. There's a myriad of materials/options you can use for this, but a common example are the products sold to prevent slipping in the bath tub.

Such as these : https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=moen+tread

I actually used the large Moen Glacier but cut it in to several pieces (it's tub sized) in order to apply it to the platforms. The tread strips would be easier to use but I couldn't find them locally. And shop around, Lowe's price on the Glacier is almost double what I paid at my plumbing supply store that is a Moen dealer.

One final note ... as always, surface prep is key, so clean and wipe the platform with isopropyl alcohol so that the tread's adhesive adheres well.

Rob
 
57Rambler said:
I own (2) of these Werner platforms and they are invaluable around the house. But they can become slippery when they get wet and I learned my lesson the hard way when using one when I was washing the house siding.

So here's my safety tip - add an anti-slip material to the platform area that you stand on.


Rob
Click to expand...

Great tip Rob - I’ll check our West Marine boating supply store - I know the carry non-skid adhesive tape.

I have almost slipped of these platforms while washing tall vehicles.

:)
 
one time i was standing on the platform washing the SUV and one of the legs wasn't securely locked and it collapsed and i went down on my back and banged my head on it. it's something i double check now, it didn't feel good when it happened lol. i also use plumbing pipe insulation foam and zip ties around the whole thing (corners too). if it weren't for me doing that when i fell, i would have had a nice size dent on the passenger side door... :(

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Great tips from Mike and others. I have a Werner work platform, and it is great, but if you are looking for a one I would recommend the Gorilla Ladders Slim Fold platform. It holds more weight (up to 300 pounds - not that that is an issue for anyone here...), has self-locking legs (so nothing to check), and folds flat (so no rocking if you used it without the legs extended).
 
Mike

I'm no where as good as you when it comes to writing but I have to step in here and correct you.

You should never modify a tool to perform in a way that it was not intended. Locking the legs and watching out for others was great but putting it on the floor as platform was not a great idea and a sure way to hurt yourself. Instead you can use a stepping platform that is flat and designed for a single height adjustment.

Although they are a bit clumsy and bulky I have seen way to many accidents from falls. Last week a coworker of mine fell from a ladder while cleaning his shed roof. He has 30 stitches to the forehead, a broken toe and hematoma galore.

Thankfully he survived the fall from 15 feet at age 65. Regardless of height a fall is a fall.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
3m makes a non slip tape that you can also put on the top of these. 1 roll should be enough for one platform
 
I second the value of having at least one of these. I must be vertically challenged. I need mine for the roof of most sedans! I've been waiting for a sale to get another one.

I also used some 3M anti-skid tape on the top and the side steps. I've already had it save me a couple of times, and when my wife borrowed it to do some painting, she also commented that she felt it was significantly sager with the tape on it. I went with a version of tape that has a reflective green on it. That might have been over kill, but I feel better having the tape on there.
 
IH8SPM said:
Mike

I'm no where as good as you when it comes to writing but I have to step in here and correct you.

You should never modify a tool to perform in a way that it was not intended. Locking the legs and watching out for others was great but putting it on the floor as platform was not a great idea and a sure way to hurt yourself.
Click to expand...


Well anyone that knows me knows I've been in accidents - boat accidents and motorcycle accidents. I'm lucky to be alive and even walking, talking and typing. :)

I hesitated to share the way I use the Werner Work Platform for the reasons you state. I agree it's never a good idea to use a tool in a way that it's not intended. At the same time, we don't have medium height platforms that will do what the Werner Work Platforms will do so being the creative kind of person I am when trying to find a way to tackle a problem I found a way.

I'll look for a "stepping" platform that's about 8" tall lightweight and meant for standing on.


For everyone reading this - scan or read my tip because first thing tomorrow I'm going to edit my post and remove the tip that could cause some people to hurt themselves.


I completely understand the gravity of getting hurt and I also try to balance that with catering to the wise as well as the lowest common denominator among the unwashed masses. In this case, I'll hedge my bets by catering to the lowest common denominators.


Thanks for chiming in IH8SPM



:)
 
I've been using the Gorilla platforms for about a year and very happy with them. I dont feel like they've gotten slippery even when soaked and I like how the legs lock into place and unlock to fold them for storage. They also feel very stable over every square inch. A great product imho

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