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For a non-self-supporting portable ladder, what is the 4-to-1 rule?

1 foot out for every 4 feet up is the ladder angle guide.

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  1. 1 foot out for every 2 feet up
  2. 1 foot out for every 3 feet up
  3. 1 foot out for every 4 feet up ✔

Why: 1926.1053 says the horizontal distance from the top support to the ladder foot should be about one quarter of the working length.

Huh, didn't know that: The 4-to-1 rule sets a safe ladder angle and keeps the ladder from being too steep.

The dad joke
Why did the ladder follow the 4-to-1 rule? It liked the right angle.
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References

Answer: 1 foot out for every 4 feet up. 1926.1053 says the horizontal distance from the top support to the ladder foot should be about one quarter of the working length.

  1. 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(5)(i) www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1926.1053
    Horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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