What Angle Should A Ladder Be At? Rules & Safety Tips

Are you planning to work at height and wondering what angle should a ladder be positioned at? It’s an important question, as ladders are a serious safety risk and getting the positioning wrong can directly result in falls and accidents. 

As a trusted provider of expert-led health and safety training courses, we’re here to explain what you need to know in simple terms. We’ll help you understand exactly how to position ladders for the greatest stability. That way you’ll have everything you need to stay safe when working at heights.

3 Rules To Find The Correct Angle For a Ladder 

Get the right angle for your ladder and you’ll have a stable enough base to climb safely. Get the wrong angle and you’re at serious risk of it collapsing, leading to a fall. Here’s how to avoid that happening, as established by HSE guidance.

1. The 4 To 1 Rule

This simple ratio is a great rule of thumb for ensuring your ladder remains secure. For every 4 units up, position your ladder 1 unit out from the wall. So if your ladder reaches a height of 4 metres, the base should be 1 metre from the wall. 

2. The 75 Degree Rule

The 4 to 1 rule should equate to 75 degrees between the two legs of your ladder. This is just another way of measuring it through an angle rather than a ratio. 

3. The NIOSH App

This free app from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health takes the guesswork out of ladder positioning. Simply place your phone on the ladder rung and the app will tell you if you need to adjust the angle to make it more or less steep.

Why Is This Ladder Angle so Crucial?

The 75 degree angle (aka the 40 to 1 ration) has been proven to be the most stable. Here’s what can happen if you don’t use it.

If you’re too close to the supporting surface (aka the angle of the ladder legs is too steep) you’re more likely to tip backwards while you're climbing. Your weight distribution could cause the ladder to fall away from the wall and you’ll find it harder to balance.

If you’re too far from the supporting surface (aka the angle of the ladder legs is too shallow) the base of the ladder can suddenly slip outwards. The ladder is more likely to collapse under the strain of normal climbing forces.

Make sure your ladder is always at 75 degrees before climbing it to avoid either of these scenarios. 

More Tips On Positioning Your Ladder

There’s more to safe positioning than just learning what angle a ladder should be at. Next we’ll take you through the other factors to check on top of the correct angle for a ladder.

Ensure It’s Level Side-to-Side

You’ll need to ensure that your ladder is level from side-to-side to make sure that you’re not at risk of tipping due to lateral imbalance - in other words, by tipping sideways. Place a spirit level on the rung of the ladder to check it’s balanced. 

Tip: Lots of modern ladders come with built-in bubble indicators to check this at a glance.

Maintain Stable Ground Contact

Your ladder must always be placed on firm, level ground with all feet making solid contact. If you can’t avoid working on an uneven surface, use proper leg levellers or approved ladder levelling devices - never improvise with objects like boxes or bricks to gain height or achieve levelness.

Check Your Supporting Surface

Your ladder must rest against a solid, stable surface. Never lean it against weak materials like guttering or window frames that could break under pressure. When working near corners or accessing roofs, use a proper standoff device to maintain stable contact.

Extend Above the Landing Point

The ladder must extend at least 1 metre (about 3-4 rungs) above any landing point where you'll step off. This extra length provides essential handholds and stability when transferring on and off the ladder at height.

When Should You Not Use a Ladder?

Choosing the right equipment for height work can prevent serious accidents. However, there are some circumstances when you shouldn’t use a ladder:

• If the work requires heavy lifting
• You need to work at height for extended periods
• The task requires significant reaching or carrying
• The location doesn't allow for the correct 75-degree ladder angle
• Weather conditions are severe - including strong winds, heavy rain, snow or ice or extreme temperatures

Safer Ways To Lift Materials At Elevated Heights

You might now be wondering what happens if the job you’re undertaking requires materials to be lifted up to your work zone. Don’t worry, there are safer alternatives to carrying heavy objects up a ladder with you that don’t expose you to the risk of becoming unbalanced and falling. 

These are:

• Use a mechanical ladder lift or hoist
• Install a gin wheel for lifting materials
• Set up scaffolding with a materials lift
• Use a cherry picker with lifting capacity
• Use a crane for larger jobs

Remember: Never attempt to carry heavy materials up a ladder. This is an avoidable but all too common risk in construction. Relay the need for an alternative to your supervisor.

Risk Assessments for Ladder Work

Always remember that work on a ladder should only be conducted if the environment and equipment are deemed to be safe, you’re supervised and it’s properly planned. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the broader Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 make it clear that your employer has specific responsibilities towards making this happen.

They should ensure that:

• A working at heights risk assessment has identified potential hazards
• Working conditions have been evaluated (including weather and ground conditions)
• The task has been assessed to confirm a ladder is the most suitable option
• Alternative equipment has been considered where appropriate
• Emergency procedures are in place

If you have concerns about ladder safety, always raise them with your supervisor. They have a legal duty to ensure your working environment is safe.

How To Angle Common Ladder Types

You might find yourself working with a variety of different ladders, as some are naturally suited to different jobs. This is a quick guide to the main kinds you’ll encounter and how to position them correctly and securely. 

Leaning Ladders

Traditional straight or extension ladders must be leaned against a surface (typically - but not always - a wall). These require the 4 to 1 rule, stable ground and a strong supporting surface.

Stepladders

This is a self-supporting A-frame. Open it to its full extent - you’ll know when this is because the spreader bar will be able to be locked in place. Unlike leaning ladders, they don't require angle calculations but need equal ground contact on all four feet.

Extension Ladders

These follow the same angle rules as leaning ladders but require an extra check to make sure there’s enough overlap between sections to keep it stable. Secure the locking mechanisms and follow the 4 to 1 ladder angle rule.

Industrial Ladders (Platform & Leaning)

The 4 to 1 rule applies for leaning types, while platform versions (that have a platform at the top) must be fully opened on level ground. The extra weight of commercial ladders means stable positioning is especially crucial. 

Your Ladder Inspection Checklist

Here’s an added factor to consider before you start climbing. You could have your ladder in the right position, but if the ladder itself is faulty you’re still at risk. Here’s how to inspect your ladder for any issues:

• Structure - Check the stiles (aka. side rails) and rungs for cracks, bends or splits. Make sure that all rungs are firmly attached and not worn down.
  
  
• Feet - Inspect rubber feet for wear and ensure they're securely attached. Damaged feet won't provide proper grip.
  
  
• Moving Parts - Test all locking mechanisms and moving parts work smoothly. For extension ladders, check the overlap sections are secure.
  
  
• Surface - Look for clean, non-slippery surfaces on rungs and steps. Remove any oil, paint or other slippery substances.
  
  
• Overall Condition - Check for any signs of corrosion, particularly around joints and fixings. Missing or loose components mean the ladder is unsafe for use.

If you work in construction and spot any issues during your inspection, tag the ladder as defective and report it to your supervisor. Never use a damaged ladder.

Book Your Training Course Today

Make preventable accidents a thing of the past with proper guidance on how to stay as safe as possible when working on ladders. Virtual College's Working at Heights Training course gives you the knowledge and confidence you need. 

From essential ladder safety techniques to practical risk assessment skills, you'll learn everything you need to protect yourself and others.

Want more essential training to help keep your skills up to date? Browse our entire suite of over 250+ online training courses.

Helpful FAQs on ladder safety

What happens if I can't achieve the correct ladder angle?

If you can't position your ladder at the proper 75-degree angle using the 4 to 1 rule, you'll need to use alternative equipment like a scaffolding or platform ladder. Never compromise on the correct angle or you risk your personal safety.

What's the difference between the 4 to 1 rule and the 75-degree rule?

They're the same rule, just expressed differently. The 4 to 1 rule (1 unit out for every 4 units up) naturally creates a 75-degree angle. 

Do I need to follow the same angle rules for all types of ladders?

No - while leaning and extension ladders need to follow the 4 to 1 rule, stepladders and platform ladders don't require angle calculations. They simply need to be fully opened with their spreader bars locked.