Ok, it's not a step, so what is it?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve got to wonder about the thing on the ladder that is labeled “This is not a step.” It certainly looks like a step. It often has ribs or grids in it so you won’t slip if you step on it. They’re generally strong enough to support my weight (assuming the whole ladder is, though - some ladders aren’t rated for my weight). I can ballance on one if I’ve got something to hold onto.

So, why is this thing labeled “This is not a step?” Are they affraid some dimwit may try ballancing on that with nothing to hold onto, fall off, and sue? Quite a reasonable fear, but I don’t know if a warning label will discourage that. If they really wanted to keep people from standing on it, why don’t they redesign the non-step so its shape will not encourage anyone to stand on it? Two vertical handles might do for that. And what is it there for? Is it really a step but marked otherwise to keep lawyers off the ladder company’s back?

Of course, I’ve also got the inevitable smart-alec question: If it isn’t a step, what is the proper name for it?

2

It’s there for you to set things, such as paint cans, on. It’s a shelf.

3

Yes.

Doesn’t matter. They’ve told you not to step there. If you do and hurt yourself and sue, they’re covered. That’s all they care about.

Doing that is more expensive than not doing it.

The “not a step.”

That’s what the label says.

4

Wow, caught the answer just in time to avoid having it fall off the index. Thanks, I figured the warning was a piece of legalese mostly. While I suppose on some stepladders it is pretty useful for setting paint cans on (which would explain why they don’t have a peaked roof), the ones on extension ladders also make lousy shelves.

5

Actually FDISK, although IANAP (Psychic), I believe you’re thinking of the swing-away shelf that really IS a shelf (and is sometimes also labeled “NOT A STEP”.

I’m of the opinion that the step-resembling thing at the top of the ladder is a protective plate for the hinge.

6

If it were a protective plate for the hinge, there’d be no need for the plate at the top of the ladder to span the entire range. You’d just need a pair of little plates, one on each side.

7

You can pretty much be sure, whenever you see a silly warning like this, that there’s a past lawsuit behind it somewhere. I know, “cite!” :wink:

8

You’d also need to tool your ladder factory to make those as well as the regular-sized rungs. And you’d be hard-pressed to find enough room up there for a warning that says “Keep your fingers out of this space.” Which I somehow believe would be necessary.

Additionally, I’m sure I’ve seen ladder tops that warn against using them as steps OR shelves.

9

BTW, putting a disclaimer on your product (e.g., “This is not a step”) does not necessarily get you off the hook in consumer liability cases. Juries have been persuaded that the manufacturer should have redesigned the product rather than rely just on a sticker.