Figured out I was running my ladder too shallow after 8 years

Always set my extension ladder at about 75 degrees because that's what felt right. Last month an old timer at the equipment yard was loading up next to me and said 'you know you're supposed to set those steeper or you're asking for trouble'. Grabbed his level and showed me the bubble. Now I check every time and it's way more stable going up and down. Anyone else have a basic habit they learned wrong?

2 comments

2 Comments

angelas787d agoMost Upvoted

You might want to double check that, actually - 75 degrees is pretty steep for most ladders (the standard is usually around 65 to 70 degrees for extension ladders). Going steeper actually reduces stability at the top and can make the ladder more likely to slide out sideways if you lean. The 4-to-1 rule (set the base out 1 foot for every 4 feet of height) gives you that lower angle and feels safer once you're used to it, in my experience.

anderson.jason7d agoTop Commenter

Hold on though. 75 degrees is actually right in the sweet spot the ANSI standard recommends for extension ladders. That old timer's "steeper" advice is literally the opposite of what OSHA teaches. The 4-to-1 rule angelas78 mentioned works out to about a 75 degree angle if you do the math right - 4 feet up, 1 foot out gives you that angle, not 65. I've seen way more people go too shallow and have the ladder slide out from under them than I've ever seen one tip sideways. That extra steepness locks the top into the gutter or the wall better anyway.