Rank: Forum user 
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Hi. Would just like some guidance. We are looking at replacing our step ladders for electricians short duration use. Is there specific guidance/legislation that someone can point me to that highlights the need for fibreglass steps as opposed to aluminium? Any help would be useful. Many Thanks in advance.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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No legislation per se I'm aware of, just best practice.
A glass fibre steps will probably be insulated and certified to 1000V.
This will reduce the risk of an electric shock should there be another incident, or where live working cannot be avoided, for example when testing and fault finding are undertaken.
To me it is just common sense to use these rather than conductive aluminium.
Additionally if the steps are being manouvred in areas with open switch gear where it is impossible to isolate the risk of direct contact is reduced.
Wooden is another option, but these can hide latent defects.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If you can foresee a risk of the steps coming in to contact with live conductors, then your assessment would surely indicate the need for fibreglass steps.
LB
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Rank: Super forum user
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I believe the HSE are due to start up there ladder exchange campaign where you can chop your old ladders in for a discount of a new set. it might be worth looking out for.
Phil
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The Work at Height Regulations require a wider consideration of suitability of access equipment. Electricians will routinely have both hands off the steps when working at height/overhead and I would suggest you should be looking beyond stepladders to podium-type or other access equipment providing a safe working platform.
There are some pretty nifty folding lightweight podium steps out there, but I'm not aware of anything non-conducting. Then again, EWR /Live Working/Safe Isolation and all that...............
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Rank: Forum user
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leadbelly wrote:If you can foresee a risk of the steps coming in to contact with live conductors, then your assessment would surely indicate the need for fibreglass steps.
LB I would suggest that if such a thing is foreseeable, then one should isolate or enclose the live conductors - not rely on the conductivity or not of a pair of steps, regardless of their construction. Live testing really should be a rare event and warrants the use of more sophisticated access and risk controls.
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Rank: Super forum user
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tabs wrote:
Live testing really should be a rare event and warrants the use of more sophisticated access and risk controls.
tabs, Live testing is by necessity a very common occurance, it must be undertaken on every new circuit installed in the fixed wiring of a building, and during every periodic inspection of a fixed wiring installation to one extent or another for compliance with BS7671. Also there are occasions where by it is necessary to work in electrical enclosures such as sub stations which have open conductors, obviously there are significant controls in place ptw etc. in these situations, however, the use of aluminuim steps would be foolish would it not! (I think you agree on that anyway)
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Rank: Forum user
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I work for an electrical company and we have fairly recently invested in several sets of podiums for use in spaces where access is good. Increasingly we are coming up against blanket bans on any type of step ladders especially on construction sites, and if you are able to use them it is with a permit only. In terms of fibre glass or metal, generally work on live testing or fault finding for us (in commerical theatres and school drama department situations) is a situation where there is no working at height involved - if it were I would agree that fibre glass would be the safer option.
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