Fiberglass step ladders are made from the most durable material. Because of the fiberglass side rails, they are the best for working around electricity.

They come in sizes up to 20 feet tall and with a lbs load capacity duty rating up to 375 pounds.

Fiberglass Step Ladders have a 250-lbs. capacity under the Type I Duty Rating by ANSI and OSHA. The step ladders have side rails that are made of fiberglass that resists denting and bending. Each step is attached by steel rivets. The step ladder has a molded top with recessed tool tray for efficient work. More heavy duty step ladders include tool holes and a built-in paint can hook. For safety, the step ladders should have a double pivot center hinge to protect from pinched fingers.

The 250-lbs. step ladders are from 4′ to 8′ tall, and usually have bottom step widths from about 19″ to about 25″.

For heavier work loads, consider Fiberglass Step Ladders with a 300-lbs. capacity under the Type IA Duty Rating of ANSI and OSHA.

An advantage of online ordering of your fiberglass step ladder is that the shipping carrier delivers the ladder to your home, so no awkward trips using the car with a ladder in it. For outside or higher work, see fiberglass extension ladders.

Fiberglass Extension Ladders come in lengths up to 32 feet or longer, and you will need to decide what height you will climb to. The nominal length of the ladder should be at least 8 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point, for example the roof edge. This length allows for the overlap of the sections, setting up the ladder to slope away from the wall for stability, and extending the ladder above the roof line if you need a handhold while getting on the roof.

The State of California requires 3 or 4 foot overlap when using the extension ladder:

Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders, Article 25. Ladders §1678. Extension Ladders.

(a) Extension ladders shall not exceed 44 feet in length when extended to the limit permitted by the following lap schedule.

(b) Extension ladders shall not be fully extended but shall have the following minimum laps:

(1) Two-Section Ladders.

3 feet for ladders with working length up to 33 feet.

4 feet for ladders with working length 33 to 44 feet.

You have to be careful both in picking a good ladder, and in using it. Falls from ladders are a leading cause of work-related injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. The causes of falls from extension ladders include the ladder-base slipping out, ladders tipping, slipping while on ladders or climbing from the ladder to a roof surface at height, and mechanical failures. You can take a look every time before you climb to check that the ladder is set up at a good angle, to minimize tipping risk and slipping risk.

OSHA has standards for ladders at 29 CFR Safety and Health Regulations for Construction subsection 1926.1053—Ladders.

For some situations, you may need leg extenders for stairs or inclined surfaces. The leading fiberglass ladder manufacturers offer leg extension attachments. For some additional info see fiberglass ladder.

Werner is a leading manufacturer and distributor of ladders and ladder accessories including the Werner, Green Bull, and Keller brands. It announced  that it is entering the Mexican market by launching a full line of products designed specifically for Mexico. Werner will serve the Mexican market through its new subsidiary company, Werner Ladder Sales & Distribution S. de R.L. de C.V., located in Juarez, Mexico.

Werner reports that it already has the world’s largest, and most state-of-the-art, ladder manufacturing facility in the world in Juarez. Werner’s press release says:

“Werner is excited to be able to bring not only a full product line, but multiple brands to this key market. By offering multiple brands, it gives Werner the opportunity to help our customers enhance their profits and grow sales in the ladder category. We know how important the Mexican market is, and look forward to continuing the Werner tradition of safety, innovation and quality, coupled with unparalleled customer service.”

“Backed by over 50 years of product innovation, Werner leads the industry with its commitment to the design and manufacture of
quality products that meet or exceed applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes and standards for strength and structural integrity.”

An article in a site about firefighters reports that an aerial ladder collapsed in Pennsylvania. The firefighter working on the ladder was not seriously injured. The mishap left the fire department with no aerial ladder. The article says “reports indicate ladder failures are fairly uncommon… Other failures have been the result of metal fatigue, overloading and improper set up. In some cases the ladders were not properly tested and didn’t meet current NFPA specifications for aerial devices.”

To visit the full article click here.

Fiberglass ladder is safer, so you are encouraged to get a good ladder and be careful getting the work done. Send an email from the contact page if you have a question.

To contact by email, please use this fill-in form.
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The big advantage of the fiberglass ladder (over an aluminum ladder) is lowering electrical risk. A fiberglass ladder will have aluminum rungs, but the rungs themselves are separated by the fiberglass that does not conduct electricity. Fiberglass is much safer to use around power lines, to avoid a tragic shock if the ladder tilts and brushes a power line. This risk is lower with a fiberglass extension ladder.

The fiberglass ladder is more of a new product. Moreover, fiberglass side rails are uniform and strong. Aluminum ladders can bend when loaded. Wood ladders can rot after being wet and will more readily absorb water to become electrically conductive. Fire resistance, compared to a wood ladder, is another advantage. But the big advantage is more electrical safety. Fiberglass ladders weigh more than wood or aluminum. But a fiberglass ladder is the best ladder to use, from heavy industrial use to around the home.

The price, duty rating and extension ladder capacity will vary from light duty ladder for home improvement to extra heavy duty fiberglass ladder, and will be printed on the ladder.

• Light Duty (Type III) 200 pound load capacity for household use.
• Medium Duty (Type II) 225 pound load capacity for painters or in an office and often used in the household. This duty rating is available from a variety of suppliers.
• Heavy Duty (Type I) 250 pound load capacity for contractors or in industry.
• Extra Heavy Duty (Type IA) 300 pound load capacity.
• Special Duty (Type IAA) 375 pound load capacity.

Available types include the fiberglass extension ladder, fiberglass extension trestle ladder and step ladder.