For the Equipment Industry: What is the Best Ladder for Electrical Work and Maintenance?

For high-place work indoors, such as maintaining electrical equipment or inspecting lighting and air conditioning, ladders and stepladders are indispensable. A persistent challenge, especially in electrical work within buildings near live wires, is the risk of electric shock accidents caused by using metal ladders. This article, aimed at equipment contractors responsible for electrical work and maintenance, explains how to select FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) ladders to reduce the risk of electric shock, using primary data and specific product examples.

According to sales trends from the domestic online tool specialty store MonotaRO, approximately 70% of the top 20 products in the ladder category are aluminum ladders, which remain mainstream due to their light weight (MonotaRO Double Extension Ladder List). However, as the demand for anti-electric shock measures has grown, the sales ratio of FRP ladders has expanded by about 1.6 times over the past five years.

For example, Hasegawa Kogyo’s “FRP Single Ladder” has a dielectric strength of 20 kV, and Pica Corporation’s “FRP-SL Series” supports up to 35 kV, making them suitable for work on utility poles. Both are structured to meet the safety requirements of ISO 14122-4 and can significantly reduce the risk of electric shock, both indoors and outdoors.

An analysis of labor accidents related to ladders shows that falls and tumbles account for over 30% of the total, with causes including slipping of the ladder feet and incorrect operation of extension mechanisms. Furthermore, electric shock accidents, which occur when a metal ladder comes into contact with a live part, account for more than half of fatal accidents, making it a particularly serious issue in electrical work.

Against this backdrop, the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS S 1121:2013 mandates a strength rating for a 130 kg load capacity class and a friction coefficient of 0.4 or higher for anti-slip end caps. Additionally, by checking for the SG Mark safety certification and the dielectric strength value displayed on the product, one can prepare for both electric shock and falls.

FRP is a non-conductive material made by hardening glass fibers with resin. The Hasegawa “FRP Single Ladder” offers 20 kV and the Pica “FRP-SL” offers 35 kV, both providing sufficient dielectric strength to cover indoor switchboard work.

Even a 3-meter long FRP ladder weighs only around 10 kg, comparable in lightness to aluminum models. Double and triple extension types can be stored at a length of about 2 meters or less, allowing for smooth loading into light vans and transport in elevators.

Elliptical steps that become horizontal at a 75° setup angle and large rubber end caps are standard features. This enables stable work even in indoor environments with different flooring materials like concrete or tile.

The latest professional models support a maximum working load of 130 kg, ensuring a safety margin even when adding tools and materials to the worker’s weight. They can be used with confidence on sites with heavy equipment, such as in building maintenance.

Hasegawa Kogyo obtained ISO 9001 certification in 2002 and currently continues to conduct over 250 strength and dielectric tests per month at its four factories in Japan and overseas. At the time of shipment, all ladders undergo a 20 kV dielectric test, and any product that does not meet the standard is not released to the market.

At its overseas bases, including the Da Nang factory in Vietnam, the company has a system in place for customizing height, width, and end caps in millimeter increments. Furthermore, the local subsidiary provides a Vietnamese manual and annual inspection services, and can deliver parts immediately, minimizing the risk of operational downtime after introduction.

To achieve both safety and efficiency in indoor electrical work and maintenance, FRP ladders, which combine non-conductivity, anti-slip performance, and portability, are the optimal choice. Hasegawa’s products, compliant with JIS and ISO standards, ensure a dielectric strength of 20–35 kV and a 130 kg class strength rating, while also being lightweight and easy to handle. With custom support and prompt after-sales service available in the Vietnamese market, they can be expected to deliver solid results in both preventing electric shocks and falls.