GPR/Fiberglass ladders

[doormatt26]

Hi I know this has been done to death but i was wondering what the rules were for site work regarding fibreglass ladders. I currently work for a large company in domestic properties and have to use the issued equipment, which includes aluminium ladders only. So I have worked off them for the last 9 years but thinking about a bid for freedom and going on my own. Currently building up my collection of tools and equip while I still have an income! and was thinking of sticking with aluminium (little giants).

Thanks in advance 

 

[NozSpark]

I have a 5' aluminium combination ladder and a 3 step plastic one...

The 3 step is great,, it's light, compact and I can reach a ceiling without any problems

 

[kerching]

I carry a 4 rung "little giant" in the van and a fibreglass 3 rung pair of steps....these steps get used for most things

all other ladders and steps are kept in workshop,as i know in advance what is needed

also have 6 rung  little giants which rarely get used

 

[steptoe]

If you intend subbing, some will insist on fibreglass, other than that, it's up to you,

I prefer my aluminium steps everytime.

I carry some steps, a hop up, and a 3tier 3way that can get me to the soffit of a normal 2story, at all times,

But, most of my work is blind, so to speak, turn up and do.

 

[Evans Electric]

OK  this is of no help really but  I still use wooden steps , 6 tread & 8 tread .  They're about 30 yrs old and are deemed to be extremly dangerous because they don't carry a BS  or some safety certification  I was told .  

 Using them for 30 yrs doesn't  prove that they may be safe to use . 

Being self employed & no longer doing building site work , I tend to use my own judgment on such things .    I too use the 3 step plastic ones , very useful,   also have aluminium steps in the van , which I try to keep clean for use in customer's houses , nice & light to carry but ar actually rated DIY   ( Not that it bothers me)    but must admit that the fibreglass /GRP  steps are good, very stable .

Also use an aluminium folding step up / workbench ....mostly to put the crown jewels on to save me bending to floor level.

Behold wooden steps & toolbench   and below a combination of wood & aluminum steps and step up workbench

 

[Badger]

i have a set of 5 tread fibre glass steps and i use them all the time.

 

[Essex1]

Wooden steps are steps made by the devil. 

 

[Tony S]

Its horses for courses, work in the lime industry and aluminium ladders, steps, staging, etc, etc. are banned.

A contractor found out why. Lime gets in the hollow sections and eats in to the aluminium from the inside out. Result? One contractor hanging on to some tray work as his ladder crumbled beneath him.

 

[Evans Electric]

Wooden steps are steps made by the devil. 

Not if in a safe condition , however I concede that the modern fibreglass steps are excellent.

The Devil was, however,  responsible for the old wooden ladders  with round rungs that hurt your feet or spin when stepped upon . 

 

[Essex1]

Not if in a safe condition , however I concede that the modern fibreglass steps are excellent.

The Devil was, however,  responsible for the old wooden ladders  with round rungs that hurt your feet or spin when stepped upon . 

 I remember using wooden steps years ago. It was an uneasy experience. I remember setting up was a skill because you had to have the feet of the steps either 2-3' to the left or the right of where you wanted to be. As you climbed them they would start to lean to one side. 

 

[Evans Electric]

That was facility was built -in to allow for cross winds :shakehead

 

[Essex1]

That was facility was built -in to allow for cross winds :shakehead

A sort of safety device?

 

[Evans Electric]

No....  lean it into the wind and they straighten up ........special feature.     However ,..............should the wind change direction unexpectedly ...that can be awkward !!

 

[bluetobits]

I once changed a ballast up a set of wooden double 16' extension ladders on a floodlight that must have been 25 ft high. Oh how those things flexed like a high dive spring board. Thank goodness for MEWP's

 

[Evans Electric]

Ask  Steptoe about being sent up a vertical ladder in the middle of nowhere , held by four blokes at the bottom .

 

[steptoe]

Ask  Steptoe about being sent up a vertical ladder in the middle of nowhere , held by four blokes at the bottom .

It was actually only two,

Big farmer types though, 

and, I was a lot younger and stupider then,  (Btw, I've just got older, the wife reckons the stupider bit hasn't changed much,,,,)

Jaysus Deke, that was an old post,,,,,,, :|

 

[Evans Electric]

Some things just stick in the mind .