Fibreglass or Aluminium Stepladders?

[Deleted member 26818]

Only real problem, is choosing a colour.

 

[Midwest]

Me I got some cheap 3 step ali ones from B&Q's. When they broke, I got some more. If its all domestic work, there's no manic site agent giving you grief, or the chance of marking Mrs Miggins Vienna marble floor tiles or her shag pile.

 

['mr2'gd4u]

5 tread with top platform. having holes for drivers and a couple of receptacles for bits like screws etc.

or get 1 of these. https://www.aladder.co.uk/item-werner_abru_fibreglass_stepladder_lock_in_job_caddy.htmlf

Oooo thanks Tel I might have to invest

 

[123]

Are you going to be storing them in the van or on the roof rack? If on the roof rack then Fibreglass steps are unlikely to last too long

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I bought a fibreglass platform step ladder recently in homebase as they were labelled wrong, got them for £63 instead of £90.
They had put wrong barcodes on the shelf and also the ladders. some were priced correct, so pot luck which you picked up. I only noticed as I was in there solely for them. so when I went through the till and got charged £63 i was well happy. went back next day to check the shelves.

 

[MFS Electrical]

I am about to invest in some new stepladders. I was thinking of getting Youngman fibreglass stepladders but have been told they are not as stable as aluminium. Also, are they really much safer for domestic electrical work? Aluminium stepladders have rubber insulated feet, which should give similar protection. What do you recommend?

I’ve had fibreglass steps for years now and they are solid feel better on them than I have on any aluminium steps I’ve ever had but they are heavy as hell

 

[MFS Electrical]

I’ve had fibreglass steps for years now and they are solid feel better on them than I have on any aluminium steps I’ve ever had but they are heavy as hell

Mine have been on the roof rack for a few years as well the plastic cap on the top has discoloured and the bolts that hold the spreaders have a light rust but they are still pretty much ok I do wash them with the van every week though

 

[SparkyChick]

Worth mentioning as well... if you're not careful, it's much easier than you might expect to fracture the legs.

I was moving my steps a few feet when they were open, only to get one leg hooked on a door frame, I didn't realise and carried on going. Went off with a hell of a crack.

 

[telectrix]

Worth mentioning as well... if you're not careful, it's much easier than you might expect to fracture the legs.

I was moving my steps a few feet when they were open, only to get one leg hooked on a door frame, I didn't realise and carried on going. Went off with a hell of a crack.

so you now have a long john silver ladder?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

so you now have a long john silver ladder?

Nah, they’re yellow.

 

[MFS Electrical]

so you now have a long john silver ladder?

A peg leg?

 

[Nigel]

I think if you do a risk assessment and method statement you will find you must have fibre glass non conductive ladder for so many scenarios. Personally I always use youngman fibre glass. 4 tread with platform 6 tread and 12 tread all fibre glass.

Most risk assessments would assess out any risk of electric shock so having GRP steps is a non-starter.

 

[Nigel]

Makes me laugh when H&S insist on GRP steps to work on a high level metal CU.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

When I asked the H&S bloke at the factory where I worked if we could get glass fibre steps because the walls of the factory are metal and there’s a lot of water about.
His response was that we should stand the steps on a rubber mat.

 

[Nigel]

When I asked the H&S bloke at the factory where I worked if we could get glass fibre steps because the walls of the factory are metal and there’s a lot of water about.
His response was that we should stand the steps on a rubber mat.

Are the walls earthed?