Workplace Health & Safety Queensland (WHSQ) recently issued a safety alert highlighting the potential for degradation of fibreglass ladders that can lead to a structural failure.

The alert was issued following an incident in March 2020 when a worker was seriously injured after a fibreglass ladder catastrophically failed.

The worker was coming down a 120-kilogram load-rated fibreglass dual purpose step ladder that was set up in its unfolded (straight) configuration when it snapped in two.

The failure occurred at the main hinge point, where the stiles contact the back of the top cap (remembering the ladder is approximately straight with the rear legs upside down). The break occurred through the fibreglass stiles. He fell approximately two metres, injuring his back.

The safety alert noted that the ladder appears to have been several years old. There was some damage to it, including to the top cap which may have been caused by a significant impact or the ladder being dropped.

Inspection of fibreglass ladders or those that use plastics can be more difficult compared to metal ladders, as material degradation can be more of a problem. Close inspection of these types of ladders is imperative to check if any degradation or faults exist with the ladder.

WHSQ subsequently recommended a number of required actions:

Ladders should be checked frequently and maintained in good condition.

• A ladder inspection should be made:
• • when originally purchased, received or put into service
  • before each use
  • after mishaps, drops and impacts
  • periodically
  • to check for signs of UV degradation.
• Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for the safe use, inspection, maintenance and storage of portable ladders. The inspection should include checking:
• • the fibreglass has not started to separate, wear away or crack, especially around rivets and bolt holes
  • for fibreglass ‘blooming’, where the glass fibres break through the surface of the fibreglass. This can be an indication that the material is degrading or is defective from manufacture. While blooming may not cause a significant reduction in strength, it will result in discomfort to the user from glass fibres in their skin and can reduce the electrical insulating properties of the ladder
  • all bolts and rivets are present and secure
  • there are no loose or cracked rungs or hinges
  • for corrosion of members, bolts and rivets – both internal and external corrosion
  • the integrity of rung/tread to stile connection and deferment flanges
  • the free movement of all pivoting or rotating surfaces (these may need to be lubricated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications)
  • the ladder feet are not excessively worn or missing and are the feet supplied by the manufacturer
  • for repairs or replacement parts that do not look genuine.
• When a defect is identified, the ladder should be marked and taken out of service for either repair by a competent person (i.e. the manufacturer or authorised agent) or destroyed. Defects include any missing or damaged parts on the ladder and alterations made to the original ladder design.

Original article from the AIH&S