The use of testing protocols approved by all parties in litigation-related failure analysis investigations, are essential to insure the cooperative and timely discovery of forensic evidence. Care must be taken both in their planning as well as their execution. Where ever possible the reliance on industry accepted testing standards, such as those of ASTM and ANSI, are critical.

In this presentation, the use and importance of such protocols are demonstrated by relating the experience of a recent fiberglass step ladder accident investigated by the authors. A defect in one of the fiberglass rails of the ladder was alleged to have contributed to its buckling and subsequent injury to the ladder user. A series of ASTM tests were pursued to evaluate fiberglass structural and mechanical properties. These tests were evoked by ANSI standards governing the construction and performance requirements of portable ladders. Through this testing and careful analysis of the forensic evidence from the ladder, it was possible to determine the root cause of the accident.