When purchasing a ladder, it's helpful to know what length you need. But what about width? Should you be taking that into consideration too?

Working around electrical hazards is daunting for anyone. Ensuring you have the right equipment to keep you safe can put your mind at ease and help you get the job done without injury.

For those of you who don't know, fibreglass ladders are recommended for electrical work because they're highly non-conductive, unlike aluminium or steel ladders which are highly conductive. But what does 'non-conductive' mean and how is a fibreglass ladder going to protect you against an electric shock?

A brief science lesson

Electricity always looks for the fastest route from the source to the ground, which usually means travelling through a conductive material. You may have heard the advice "don't be in a swimming pool during a thunderstorm" well this is because lightning is attracted to water because it's highly-conductive.

If you want to prevent electricity from passing through you into the ground when you're on a ladder, it's important you put something insulating as opposed to conductive between you and the ground. Aluminium and steel ladders are often conductive, so they're not the safest choice if you're working near a live wire or electrical cables.

How do fibreglass ladders protect me?

Fibreglass ladders, however, are insulating which means electricity can't pass through them. By putting a fibreglass ladder between you and the ground, you're making sure that the quickest route to the ground is not through your body! This means that, should the worst happen, you'll be protected and shouldn't get an electric shock.

Choosing a fibreglass ladder

Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a wide range of fibreglass ladders to help you work around electricity safely. Whether you need a low-level step ladder, an extension ladder for extra reach or a combination for use in hallways and on stairs - we have a fibreglass ladder for you!

Fibreglass Ladders   Fibreglass Steps

If you have any questions about our fibreglass ladders or how they protect against electricity, don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team of experts will be happy to help you with any queries you may have.

Working with ladders on uneven ground can be really challenging. Here at Ladders UK Direct, we'd always recommend using your ladder on flat ground where possible, but we understand that sometimes this simply isn't an option. If you find yourself having to use a ladder on uneven ground, you should do whatever you can to make the ground even before you start.

When using a step ladder, it is very important not only to ensure that the ladder itself is undamaged and in full working order, but that you position it correctly. By doing so, you will be able to climb up the ladder and complete the task at hand safely, confident that your step ladder will not give way and cause a potentially serious accident.

In case you're not sure how to position a step ladder, we will run through each step below, as well as the correct processes to carry out before setting up your step ladder and whilst using your step ladder.

Using a ladder in cold and wet weather conditions is nobody's idea of fun. However, some people like builders and scaffolders are required to work outside - whatever the weather. There are a few things you can do to help make using a ladder in the rain safer and more comfortable. So, if you're someone who often finds yourself using a ladder in the rain, just keep reading.