The base of the ladder should be placed so that it is one foot away from the building for every four feet of hight to where the ladder rests against the building. This is known as the 4 to 1 rule.
It states that four every 4 feet you climb up a ladder, you should move the ladder 1 foot away from the wall or vertical surface on which it's placed. If you climb 8 feet up a ladder, for example, you should move it 2 feet away from the wall or vertical surface.
Step 3 – Set it up so that it is not too close or too far from the support structure. The ratio should be 4:1. That means the base of the ladder is 1 metre away from the supporting structure, for every 4 metres of height.
What is the 4-1 Rule for Ladders? The base of your ladder should extend 1 foot for every 4 feet of height between the working surface and the point of contact.
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). This applies whether you're measuring in feet or metres.
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.
The minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders must be 11.5 inches (29 cm). edge of a landing area must be no less than 7 inches (18 cm) and no more than 12 inches (30 cm). A landing platform must be provided if the step-across distance exceeds 12 inches (30 cm).
This requirement ensures that all modifications align with current safety standards, offering improved protection for climbers. Furthermore, by November 18, 2036, all fixed ladders over 24 feet must be retrofitted with a PFAS or ladder safety system, regardless of whether the existing safety cage is removed.
Extension ladders should be angled at a ratio of 1:4. That is, position the base of the ladder 1 metre away from the structure for every 4 metres of height. Do not climb or work past the second-last rung of a ladder, and never straddle the top of an A-frame ladder.
By understanding and addressing the top three OSHA-cited ladder violations—improper usage, lack of inspections, and improper setup—employers can create a safer environment for workers. Regular ladder inspections, proper setup techniques, and worker training are all essential to ensure ladder safety.
Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement. Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases to obtain additional height. Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder.
It's the 4 to 1 rule, meaning for every four feet of ladder height, the base of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall or structure it's leaning against. This provides the right ladder angle to keep the ladder stable while you work.
Always follow the 1:4 ratio – set the base 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of height.
The 4-to-1 rule is a simple yet effective guideline for positioning extension ladders. Here's how it works: Measure the distance from the ground to the support point on the wall. Divide this height by four. The result is how far the base of the ladder should be from the wall.
Maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing/ descending a ladder. Stay near the middle of the ladder and face the ladder while climbing up/down. Use a barricade to keep traffic away from the ladder. Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.
To safely position the ladder, you should plan out the area measuring a ratio of 4:1 in terms of the height of the ladder to determine the distance from the wall, e.g. if the ladder is 16 feet tall, its base should be 4 feet away from the building wall.
Set Up the Ladder Carefully
All portable ladders shall be of sufficient length and shall be placed so that workers will not stretch or assume a hazardous position. Follow the 4 to 1 ratio ladder rule: set the base 1 foot out from the wall for every 4 feet it reaches up.
A vertical video is made in portrait mode and has a 9:16 aspect ratio. Vertical videos are taller in height than they are in width, the ideal dimensions being 1080x1920 pixels. With the smartphone revolution, our mobile screens started playing host to 9:16 and 4:5 aspect ratios.
The 4-to-1 rule for ladders is a ratio. This ratio compares the distance of the base of the ladder from the wall to the height it reaches on the wall; for every four feet the ladder reaches up, the base needs to be one foot away from the wall.
Previously, the OSHA required fixed ladders taller than 20 feet to have cages as a form of fall protection. But, as of January 2017, OSHA changed the ladder height requirement. Fixed ladders that extend beyond 24 feet need to have fall protection systems in place.
OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations.
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.
Fall protection is now required on all fixed ladders that extend higher than 24 feet. (Previously, OSHA required cages for fixed ladders taller than 20 feet.) Cages are no longer considered compliant fall protection in newly installed or replacement fixed ladders extending higher than 24 feet.
The base of the ladder should be placed so that it is one foot away from the building for every four feet of hight to where the ladder rests against the building. This is known as the 4 to 1 rule.
Always grip the ladder and face the ladder rungs while climbing or descending – don't slide down the stiles. Don't try to move or extend the ladder while standing on the rungs. Don't work off the top three rungs. Try to make sure that the ladder extends at least 1 metre or three rungs above where you are working.