Short answer: no. Step ladders are specifically designed to stand unsupported, and it's generally a bad idea to use any ladder for anything other than the purpose it was designed for. A step ladder may slip if leaned up against a wall and climbed like an extension ladder.
Lean the ladder against a wall at a vertical to horizontal ratio of 4:1.
You should never lean a step ladder against the wall.
Individual rung/step ladders must extend at least 42 inches (1.1 m) above an access level or landing platform either by the continuation of the rung spacings as horizontal grab bars or by providing vertical grab bars that must have the same lateral spacing as the vertical legs of the ladder rails.
Do not climb a stepladder that is leaning against a wall. Use a straight ladder instead.
Never use the ladder as a platform. Never lean the stepladder against the wall. The “spreaders” must be extended and locked.
That said, climbing a ladder that's leaning against the wrong wall means that you are moving ahead in your life, but in a way that's not getting you to where you want to go. Thus, you are climbing the wrong if you are using your money in a way that doesn't align with your unique personal values.
The use of ladders with broken or missing rungs or steps, broken or split side rails, or other faulty or defective construction is prohibited. When ladders with such defects are discovered, they shall be immediately withdrawn from service.
The LEANSAFE Ladder is both OSHA and ANSI compliant and is available in five sizes—4′, 6′, 8′, 10′, and 12′ high.
When a ladder is leaned against a wall, the bottom of the ladder should be one-quarter of the ladder's working length away from the wall. For access to an elevated work surface, extend the top of the ladder three feet above that surface or secure the ladder at its top.
To protect your siding or interior walls when you lean an extension ladder against them, slip some old sneakers over the upper ladder ends and tape the shoes in place. The rubber soles will grip the surface and help prevent dents and scratches.
A ladder is leaning against the wall. At the base of the ladder, there are two forces acting, the normal force of the floor on the ladder and the frictional force. At top of the ladder there is a normal force due to the wall. The gravitational force is acting at the center of the ladder.
For every 4 feet of height, position the base of the ladder 1 foot away from the wall. In other words, the distance between the wall and the base of your ladder should be one quarter of the ladder's height (putting the ladder at a 75° angle).
The correct angle for a ladder is 75 degrees or the 1 in 4 rule.
The correct answer is "against the wall". In the given sentence, the use of the preposition 'on' is incorrect. The preposition 'on' means physically in contact with and supported by a surface.
Per OSHA regulations, traditional step ladders should never be leaned directly against a vertical surface because they are designed to be exclusively self-supporting.
Rungs, cleats, and steps of portable ladders (except as provided below) and fixed ladders (including individual-rung/step ladders) shall be spaced not less than 10 inches (25 cm) apart, nor more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps.
Short answer: no. Step ladders are specifically designed to stand unsupported, and it's generally a bad idea to use any ladder for anything other than the purpose it was designed for. A step ladder may slip if leaned up against a wall and climbed like an extension ladder.
Proper Set Up of the Ladder
Use the 4-to-1 rule: Make sure the ladder is 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet that the ladder rises. For example, if the ladder touches the wall 16 feet above the ground, the feet/base of the ladder should be 4 feet from the wall.
Some common risky behaviors are using the wrong type of ladder, using one hand to carry something up the ladder, leaning out from the ladder, standing on the top platform of a step ladder, and not descending after unexpected ladder movement is detected. Be proactive and prevent these injuries in your workplace.
Tie the ladder to a suitable point, making sure both stiles are tied. Where this is not practical, secure the ladder with an effective ladder stability device. If this is not possible, securely wedge the ladder (eg wedge the stiles against a wall) If you cannot achieve any of these options, foot the ladder.
This placement means the bottom section "faces" a wall or other supporting surface (see figures below). Place the ladder feet so that the horizontal distance between the feet and the top support is 1/4 of the working length of the ladder. The ladder will be leaning at a 75 degree angle from the ground.
Use a 4:1 ratio for setting ladders (approximately 75 degrees) - for every four feet in height, the base of the ladder should be moved one foot out from the wall or structure.