Introducing Step Smart

Step Smart is a new product designed by Balco Lifestyle to assist with safe ladder use.

Ladder safety is serious!

Ladder related injuries and deaths are becoming more prevalent especially among 50+ year old male users. These injuries occur whilst conducting non-occupational activities (mainly DIY around the home).

Ladder instability is the number one cause of ladder accidents, typically as a result of the ladder being positioned on uneven ground or on an unstable surface or structure. Consumers ASSUME the ladder is level and stable – they often over reach to paint, clean, repair or build something.

The current market in ladder accessories does not feature any products utilizing digital technology. Current ladder accessories are primarily mechanical. There are no products designed to identify and monitor the issue of stability, only to correct the issue.

Our solution - Step Smart!

Step Smart is a new product designed by Balco Lifestyle to assist with safe ladder use.

The Step Smart can mount to most ladders on the market and is very easy to do so.

Once mounted, turn your Step Smart on to begin setting your ladder up correctly.

Press SET once everything is level and you are ready to use your ladder. The Step Smart will notify you if your ladder shifts to an unsafe position from the original state.

Slow beep alarm

When you see red flashing lights and hear the slow alarm sound your ladder is at a dangerous angle and should be adjusted immediately.

Rapid beep alarm

Solid red lights and rapid beep alarm means your ladder is at its tipping point and is likely to fall.

Determining tipping angles

Using a formula we were able to determine ladder tipping points with some set parameters.

We tested with a range of different ladders and weights in real world environments to best assess at what point a ladder will tip.

This calculation assumes the following:

The user keeps their body within the edge of the ladder

The user stands no higher than the third highest step

The ladder weight is evenly distributed top to bottom

Straight extended ladders are NOT leaning against a wall

Important!

It should be noted that whilst we hope Step Smart results in safer ladder use, it will not prevent falls. Our aim for this product is to assist users in using their ladders with more confidence. Like a trucks reversing beep or a heart rate monitor, it is about early warning through visual and audible ques to prevent something serious occurring.

Now use your ladder with peace of mind!