A ladder hoist is an engineering control that can reduce musculoskeletal disorders from manual material handling by assisting workers in moving materials up to the rooftop.  Ladder hoists can be an attachment to heavy-duty ladders, or integrated into the ladder design.  Both styles can lift between 200 to 400 pounds powered by gas or electric.  Attachments, such as gravel buckets, are available on some models to make it easier to transport loose material.

A ladder hoist is a portable lifting device that assists in moving heavy materials to rooftops. Ladder hoists can be purchased as an attachment to heavy-duty ladders, or as a specially designed unit that integrate both the ladder and the hoist. Both styles can lift between 200 to 400 pounds, and can be either gas powered or electric. Attachments, such as gravel buckets, are available on some models to make it easier to transport loose material.

Ladder hoists carry construction materials up to the rooftop on a rigid platform powered by an electric or gas engine. Hoist heights range between 16 to 44 feet and have a lifting capacity between 200 to 400 pounds of material. Most ladder hoists have a collapsible feature and are mobile, making them easier to place material close to the site where they will be used. The mobility also allows for easy transportation between worksites which is an important feature for companies that need to supply materials to multiple worksites.

The ladder hoist has the capability of increasing productivity when used appropriately.

Ladder hoists are an economical choice for transporting materials to a rooftop compared to other more expensive options such as boom trucks, cranes, and forklifts. These other options have higher operation costs and can damage existing landscaping that may be in place.

Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC and Michael Milanoski, SPT – Eastern Washington University

• Roofing
  • Unload and transport material at ground level and to roofs
    • Lifting and Carrying (Manual materials Handling)