Please inform me regarding: what is the maximum height of 1) step ladder 2) straight ladder 3) extension ladder 4) ladder used for scaffolding access
From India, Thrissur
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30From India, Thrissur
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Dear friends,
Regarding ladder safety, I find the discussion very informative. Can anyone explain why the 4:1 (4V to 1H) ratio is universally accepted as safe worldwide? There must be a specific reason that dictates why a safety professional cannot simply say, "keep the ladder that way."
Let's begin the investigation!
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Regarding ladder safety, I find the discussion very informative. Can anyone explain why the 4:1 (4V to 1H) ratio is universally accepted as safe worldwide? There must be a specific reason that dictates why a safety professional cannot simply say, "keep the ladder that way."
Let's begin the investigation!
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Mr. Sayeed,
Thank you for sharing a good presentation on Ladder Safety. Keep on sharing.
Dear Kesava Pillai Sir,
I was not aware of the answer to the question you raised. I then searched the internet and found the following: "If the base is moved out further, the stress on the side rails is more severe, and the wider angle may cause slippage."
I look forward to hearing your comments. Please continue sharing your expertise with us.
From India
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Thank you for sharing a good presentation on Ladder Safety. Keep on sharing.
Dear Kesava Pillai Sir,
I was not aware of the answer to the question you raised. I then searched the internet and found the following: "If the base is moved out further, the stress on the side rails is more severe, and the wider angle may cause slippage."
I look forward to hearing your comments. Please continue sharing your expertise with us.
From India
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Dear sir,
Here is the answer. I hope it's correct.
Two reasons:
Mathematical: If you do the math regarding the side adjacent, the side tangent, and the hypotenuse, and consider the angular momentum of the dynamic loads involved on a ladder, you realize that the 4 to 1 ratio provides the best possible load distribution at ground and tangent with the greatest stability.
Empirical: If you have a human of average height stand straight with arms extended either to each side or to the front, the triangle described by the malleolus of the ankle, the shoulder hinge, and the knuckles of the finger describes a right triangle with the ratio of the side adjacent to the side tangent being 4 to 1.
Dear Abhay & Dipil,
Thanks for your inputs.
Waiting for expert commands. . .
From United States, Fpo
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Here is the answer. I hope it's correct.
Two reasons:
Mathematical: If you do the math regarding the side adjacent, the side tangent, and the hypotenuse, and consider the angular momentum of the dynamic loads involved on a ladder, you realize that the 4 to 1 ratio provides the best possible load distribution at ground and tangent with the greatest stability.
Empirical: If you have a human of average height stand straight with arms extended either to each side or to the front, the triangle described by the malleolus of the ankle, the shoulder hinge, and the knuckles of the finger describes a right triangle with the ratio of the side adjacent to the side tangent being 4 to 1.
Dear Abhay & Dipil,
Thanks for your inputs.
Waiting for expert commands. . .
From United States, Fpo
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Dear friends,
It is interesting to see many "attempts" around the questions. The specific question here is "what is the maximum height of:
1) step ladder
2) straight ladder
3) extension ladder
4) ladder used for scaffolding access?"
We find a lot of postings but none with a definite answer. Can anyone try to answer the question, please?
The PPT from Mr. Sayeed, the 27th one, needs correction. We have to digest the meaning of 4:1. The maximum height of the step ladder and extension ladder given as 20' and 44' also requires clarification. Kindly check!
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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It is interesting to see many "attempts" around the questions. The specific question here is "what is the maximum height of:
1) step ladder
2) straight ladder
3) extension ladder
4) ladder used for scaffolding access?"
We find a lot of postings but none with a definite answer. Can anyone try to answer the question, please?
The PPT from Mr. Sayeed, the 27th one, needs correction. We have to digest the meaning of 4:1. The maximum height of the step ladder and extension ladder given as 20' and 44' also requires clarification. Kindly check!
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Maximum Heights of Ladders
Your question: What is the maximum height of:
1) a step ladder?
2) a straight ladder?
3) an extension ladder?
The answer is attached.
For 4) the ladder used for scaffolding access: the maximum height is 30 feet.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Your question: What is the maximum height of:
1) a step ladder?
2) a straight ladder?
3) an extension ladder?
The answer is attached.
For 4) the ladder used for scaffolding access: the maximum height is 30 feet.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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I saw a ladder safety book by OSHA that had an explanation regarding the 4:1 height to base ratio. From this book, I understand that this ratio is for keeping the ladder at a safe angle of 75 degrees to prevent accidental slips while climbing. This information is explained on page number 11 of the book, which also provides an explanation of how to achieve this ratio.
To achieve a 4:1 set-up angle, a non-self-supporting ladder should have a set-up angle of about 75 degrees — a 4:1 ratio of the ladder's working length to the set-back distance.
Here's how to achieve it: Stand at the base of the ladder with your toes touching the rails. Extend your arms straight out in front of you. If the tips of your fingers just touch the rung nearest your shoulder level, the angle of your ladder has a 4:1 ratio.
From India, Thrissur
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To achieve a 4:1 set-up angle, a non-self-supporting ladder should have a set-up angle of about 75 degrees — a 4:1 ratio of the ladder's working length to the set-back distance.
Here's how to achieve it: Stand at the base of the ladder with your toes touching the rails. Extend your arms straight out in front of you. If the tips of your fingers just touch the rung nearest your shoulder level, the angle of your ladder has a 4:1 ratio.
From India, Thrissur
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Dear Sir,
Thank you for your inputs into the thread. The doubt of the thread initiator has been fully cleared by you. Now, I would like to know about the ladder used as an access to scaffolding.
Which type of ladder should we recommend for access to scaffolding? A ramp, runway, stairway, or vertical ladder? And why?
I also look forward to gaining more clarity on the 4:1 ratio of ladder placement.
Thanks for your write-up regarding the ladder. It clearly answers how we can achieve the 4:1 ratio for ladder placement. However, the question raised by Mr. Keshav Pillai still remains unclear. Why should we maintain this 4:1 ratio? Let's wait to get more clarity on this topic.
Best regards,
Hseofficerjsk
From India
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Thank you for your inputs into the thread. The doubt of the thread initiator has been fully cleared by you. Now, I would like to know about the ladder used as an access to scaffolding.
Which type of ladder should we recommend for access to scaffolding? A ramp, runway, stairway, or vertical ladder? And why?
I also look forward to gaining more clarity on the 4:1 ratio of ladder placement.
Thanks for your write-up regarding the ladder. It clearly answers how we can achieve the 4:1 ratio for ladder placement. However, the question raised by Mr. Keshav Pillai still remains unclear. Why should we maintain this 4:1 ratio? Let's wait to get more clarity on this topic.
Best regards,
Hseofficerjsk
From India
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Dear Amigos,
Wow, I can't believe this topic is still active and receiving more and more useful comments. It's very good to see. I am not from a safety background; my habit is just to collect useful data and store it. That's why I have this PowerPoint presentation that I shared earlier.
After reviewing all the comments from the esteemed seniors, I truly feel pleased to be a part of this discussion and want to extend my thanks to all. I have some additional information regarding a question on the ratio 4:1. Please review the attachment below; I hope it will be helpful as well.
Once again, a big thank you to all the seniors for their insightful comments (HSEofficerjsk, Keshav Pillai, Dilip, and all).
Thank you,
From Kuwait, Hawalli
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Wow, I can't believe this topic is still active and receiving more and more useful comments. It's very good to see. I am not from a safety background; my habit is just to collect useful data and store it. That's why I have this PowerPoint presentation that I shared earlier.
After reviewing all the comments from the esteemed seniors, I truly feel pleased to be a part of this discussion and want to extend my thanks to all. I have some additional information regarding a question on the ratio 4:1. Please review the attachment below; I hope it will be helpful as well.
Once again, a big thank you to all the seniors for their insightful comments (HSEofficerjsk, Keshav Pillai, Dilip, and all).
Thank you,
From Kuwait, Hawalli
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