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812 OSHA Focus Four Hazards
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Safe Ladder Use

Ladder Angle

A non-self-supporting ladder should have a set-up angle of about 75 degrees - a 4:1 ratio of the ladder's working length to set-back distance.

Showing the correct angle for setting up a ladder
A non-self-supporting ladder should have a set-up angle of about 75 degrees.

Here's how to determine how far out the ladder should be at its base:

  • Stand at the base of the ladder with your toes touching the rails.
  • Extend your arms straight out in front of you.
  • If the tips of your finger just touch the rung nearest your shoulder level, the angle of your ladder has a 4:1 ratio.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed an easy-to-use interactive ladder safety application for smartphones. The NIOSH Ladder Safety application features a multimodal indicator, which uses visual and sound signals to assist the user in positioning an extension ladder at an optimal angle.

The application provides graphic-oriented interactive reference materials, safety guidelines and checklists for extension ladder selection, inspection, accessorizing, and use. It is intended to help a wide range of ladder users, employers, and safety professionals, with their ladder-related safety needs.

Here is a link to download the phone application:

Android

Apple iOS

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-9. If a ladder's working length is 12 feet, what should the ladder's set back distance be?