How Should a Ladder Be Set Up? The 1 in 4 Rule, Tying and Footing

On this page

1. 1How should a leaning ladder be set up, step by step?
2. 2What is the 1 in 4 rule for ladder angle?
3. 3How do you check a ladder’s angle on site?
4. 4What ground can a ladder stand on safely?
5. 5How should a ladder be secured, and in what order?
6. 6How do you tie a ladder properly, and what counts as tied?
7. 7When is footing a ladder acceptable, and what are its limits?
8. 8Do stabilisers and levelling devices make a ladder safe to use?
9. 9How far should a ladder extend above the landing, and what should it rest against?
10. 10How do you set up a ladder near doors, traffic and other people?
11. 11How close can a ladder go to overhead power lines?
12. 12Can you use a ladder in wind, rain or ice?
13. 13What are the most common ladder set-up mistakes?
14. 14What should you check before you climb?
15. 15What training helps with ladder set-up?
16. 16Frequently asked questions

This guide covers setting up a portable leaning ladder (straight or extension) for work in Great Britain, checked against the sources named on 31 October 2026. It does not cover stepladders (see podium steps versus stepladders) or choosing and inspecting the ladder, which our guides to ladder inspection and the EN 131 ladder standard explain. For the basics, see ladder safety rules. General information, not legal advice.

How should a leaning ladder be set up, step by step?

Each step depends on the one before. Later sections give the detail.

1. Confirm a ladder is the right equipment. HSE says ladders suit low-risk, short-duration work, and as a guide recommends alternatives if you would be up a ladder for more than 30 minutes at a time (HSE, when to use a ladder). See the hierarchy of control and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
2. Do the pre-use check and withdraw any defective ladder.
3. Check the place: firm, level, clean ground; no overhead line within 6 m horizontally; nothing that vehicles, doors or the public could knock into.
4. Choose a strong resting point and set the feet one unit out for every four up.
5. Secure the ladder: tie both stiles; if you cannot, use the next option down the list.
6. Re-check, then climb: feet flat, angle right, ties tight, three points of contact.

Regulation 8(e) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 requires an employer to comply with Schedule 6 whenever a ladder is used. The Schedule is general: a stable, firm surface, a ladder positioned for stability and prevented from slipping, and an access ladder long enough to protrude above the landing. The exact figures, such as the angle and the 1 m, come from HSE and Ladder Association guidance, which LA455 says helps you comply with the law but leaves you free to take other action. HSE’s FAQs say the duties fall on employers and on those who control work at height (HSE, work at height FAQs, updated 18 November 2024).

What is the 1 in 4 rule for ladder angle?

HSE’s guidance says to use the 1-in-4 rule to put the ladder at its safest angle, which it defines as one unit of measurement out for every four units up, a 75° angle (HSE, types of ladder and using them safely, last updated 5 June 2024). The joint HSE and Ladder Association guide LA455 (version 1, revision 1, September 2026) repeats it. In practice, the “up” is the height of the point where the ladder touches the wall, and the “out” is the distance from the wall to the feet along the ground.

The 75 degrees is a rounding: one out for four up is just under 76 degrees (our arithmetic). The table shows the foot position for common heights, also our arithmetic from the ratio, not figures printed in the guidance.

A wrong angle fails two ways (basic mechanics, not an HSE quotation): too steep and the ladder can fall backwards, too shallow and the base can slide out. The Ladder Association lists four ways a leaning ladder becomes unstable: base slip, top slip, flip and top contact (toolbox talk, secure your ladder, September 2026).

How do you check a ladder’s angle on site?

You have three options, from most to least reliable. Whichever you use, step back and look at the ladder from the side before anyone climbs.

• Use the maker’s markings. LA455 says to check the pictogram or label on the ladder, and HSE’s farm guidance says the maker may have marked the correct angle on the side (HSE, farm safety ladder examples). If there is a marking, use it.
• Measure. Measure the height of the resting point, divide by four and put the feet that far from the wall.
• Use a body check as a rough guide only. Many training resources describe standing with your toes at the foot of the ladder and arms straight out, so your palms reach a rung at about shoulder height. We did not find this in LA455 or HSE’s ladder pages, and arm length varies, so confirm with a measure when it matters.

What ground can a ladder stand on safely?

Schedule 6, paragraph 2 requires any surface a ladder rests on to be stable, firm, of sufficient strength and suitable composition to support the ladder “so that its rungs or steps remain horizontal”. HSE’s guidance on where ladders should be used gives the practical tests. As a guide, only use a ladder:

• on firm, level ground, following the maker’s pictograms;
• on clean, solid surfaces such as paving slabs or floors, free of oil, moss, leaf litter and loose material such as sand, so the feet can grip;
• where vehicles cannot strike it, using barriers or cones;
• where doors and windows cannot push it over, by securing them (but not fire exits) where possible;
• where the public cannot use it or walk underneath it, using barriers or cones or, as a last resort, a person standing guard at the base.

The Ladder Association’s toolbox talk on when to use a ladder asks for ground that is dry, flat, level, firm and strong. On soft ground it says to use a large board, and not to level the feet with bricks or small pieces of wood. HSE agrees: use proprietary levelling devices, not ad-hoc packing.

Never stand a ladder on a movable object. HSE’s list includes pallets, bricks, lift trucks, tower scaffolds, vans and mobile elevating work platforms. If the ground is the problem, change the plan. Our guide to using a ladder on stairs covers the worst case of uneven ground, and our guide to slips, trips and falls covers contamination.

How should a ladder be secured, and in what order?

A portable ladder must be prevented from slipping. Schedule 6, paragraph 5 allows three ways: securing the stiles at or near their upper or lower ends; an effective anti-slip or other effective stability device; or any other arrangement of equivalent effectiveness. HSE and LA455 turn this into an order of preference: tie, then use an effective stability device, then securely wedge, and foot the ladder only if none of those can be achieved. HSE’s construction FAQs add that footing should be avoided where possible by using other methods (HSE, work at height FAQs for construction, page dated 11 March 2026). The table is our summary, not an HSE table.

How do you tie a ladder properly, and what counts as tied?

“Tied” is stricter than a loop of rope round something nearby. The toolbox talk on securing your ladder lists the basics:

• Both stiles, never a rung or tread. Fix the ties around both sides of the ladder.
• A strong tie, tight but not over-tight. Strong rope, webbing straps, certain nylon ties and purpose-made devices are good options, though some synthetic ropes weaken over time and in sunlight. Over-tightening adds load and could overload the ladder.
• A secure fixing. Use existing features only if you know they are secure, or fit anchors, or drive stakes into firm ground. The Ladder Association says anchors should be selected, installed and tested in accordance with BS 8539.
• Never to weak surfaces. Do not tie into, or rest the ladder against, plastic guttering, drainpipes or glazing.

LA455 shows two correct options, tying at the top stiles and tying near the base, and HSE’s farm guidance advises tying at the top. Fitting a top tie often means someone must climb first. The guidance does not say how, so plan it in the risk assessment, and consider a base tie, which can be fitted from the ground, as the first step (our observation, not guidance).

When is footing a ladder acceptable, and what are its limits?

Footing means a second person steadies the base. It is the last item on the list, and the evidence is cautious. The Ladder Association says it is of limited benefit, though commonplace, and that it can help against base slip and flip but research has not shown a significant advantage against top slip and top contact. HSE’s farm guidance adds that on a ladder over 5 m long, a person at the base is unlikely to stop it slipping.

Footing is only for when nothing higher on the list is possible, and it does not turn a long or hazardous task into one a ladder suits. The toolbox talk gives two ways to stand. In option 1, one foot is in the centre of the bottom rung, the other behind on the ground, with hands firmly on each stile at shoulder height. In option 2, each foot is hard against a stile, with hands on each stile at shoulder height. Do not stand on the bottom rung with both feet, or load one stile unevenly, which could flip the ladder. Footing is not the same as the person standing guard at the base that HSE lists for keeping the public away. That person warns others and does not hold the ladder.

Do stabilisers and levelling devices make a ladder safe to use?

They can help, but they do not replace firm ground or the tie. Two different things are involved (levelling devices are covered under ground above).

Built-in wide bases. The revised EN 131 requires leaning ladders longer than 3 m to be wider at the base, for example with a stabiliser bar (see our EN 131 guide). That is part of the ladder, not an add-on.

Add-on stability devices. HSE says to consider an effective stability device, one that prevents slipping if used correctly. The Ladder Association is more cautious: its guidance for managers says it is not yet clear that any ancillary devices now available are effective, and it makes no recommendations until there is an agreed design standard. Individual makers may allow some devices with their own ladders, so consult yours first, and never drill into a ladder to fit one.

How far should a ladder extend above the landing, and what should it rest against?

For access, Schedule 6, paragraph 6 says a ladder must protrude sufficiently above the landing unless other measures ensure a firm handhold. LA455 section 9 puts a figure on it: a ladder used to access another level should be tied and extend at least 1 m above the landing point to provide a secure handhold. HSE says the same of a ladder used to access a scaffold (HSE, common work at height myths, updated 3 September 2025).

For working rather than stepping off, LA455 says not to work off the top three rungs and to try to have at least 1 m (three rungs) of ladder above where you work.

The top must rest on something strong. LA455 says not to rest it against weak upper surfaces such as glazing or plastic gutters, and shows a stand-off device, used following the maker’s instructions, as a way to create a strong resting point. The toolbox talk adds that gutters, tiles and trees might give way. For roofs, see fragile roofs and rooflights.

There is no maximum height for a ladder, but where one rises 9 m or more above its base, rest platforms should be provided where reasonably practicable (Schedule 6, paragraph 9).

How do you set up a ladder near doors, traffic and other people?

HSE’s controls are in the ground list above: secure doors (not fire exits) and windows, barrier off vehicle routes, and keep the public from walking underneath. Three more points apply:

• Avoid side-on working. The Ladder Association says the force could topple the ladder, so face the task.
• Stay close to the task. LA455 says your belt buckle (or navel) should stay within the stiles, so if you cannot reach, move the ladder.
• Keep the barrier up for as long as the ladder is up, even when nobody is on it (our suggestion).

How close can a ladder go to overhead power lines?

Keep at least 6 m away horizontally unless the line has been made dead or is protected with insulation. LA455 and HSE’s ladder page both say this, and both say to use a non-conductive ladder, such as fibreglass or timber, for electrical work.

HSE’s guidance note GS6, Avoiding danger from overhead power lines (fourth edition, 2013) names ladders among the equipment commonly involved when people are killed or seriously injured by contact with live lines. Key points:

• Touching is not necessary. Electricity can arc across small gaps, and lines are easy to miss when you are tired, rushing or in dull conditions.
• Assume a line is live unless and until its owner has confirmed that it is dead, and consult the owner about the plan of work.
• A non-conductive ladder is not a licence to go closer. HSE says current can flow through wood or plastic if damp or dirty, and contact can be lethal at voltages as low as 230 V (HSE, overhead power lines).

GS6 also gives voltage-based exclusion zones for unavoidable short ground-level work near a line, so the line owner’s advice comes first, and 6 m is the working rule for ladders. Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 bars work on or so near a live conductor that danger may arise unless it is unreasonable for it to be dead, reasonable to work near it live, and suitable precautions are taken. Our guide to electrical safety at work covers the wider duties. If a line is near the job, ask its owner before the ladder goes up.

Can you use a ladder in wind, rain or ice?

Not if the weather makes the work unsafe. Regulation 4(3) requires an employer to ensure work at height is carried out only when weather conditions do not jeopardise the health or safety of those involved (emergency services acting in an emergency are excepted by regulation 4(4)). It sets no wind speed.

We found no wind speed limit for ladders in LA455, HSE’s ladder pages or the Ladder Association’s toolbox talks, so we give none. Your risk assessment and the maker’s instructions set any limits. In practice:

• Wind. If the wind is moving the ladder or the person on it, stop. This is our reasoning from the regulation, not a sourced limit.
• Rain, frost and ice. HSE wants a clean surface free of oil, moss and leaf litter, so wet moss, leaves or ice under the feet is a reason to postpone or change equipment.

What are the most common ladder set-up mistakes?

Each breaks a point above, and a supervisor can spot and stop each one.

• Packing under one stile with bricks or offcuts instead of a proprietary levelling device.
• Standing the ladder on a van, pallet or other movable object, or resting the top on a plastic gutter or glazing.
• Leaving an access ladder untied or too short, or tying to a rung, one stile only, or a weak pipe.
• Setting the feet too far out or too close to the wall.
• Footing the ladder when a tie, device or wedge was possible.
• Forgetting the door that opens into the ladder, or the overhead line within 6 m.

What should you check before you climb?

This checklist is our summary of the guidance, not an official form.

• Is a ladder still right for the job, and has the pre-use check found no defects?
• Are the feet clean and in full contact with firm, level, clean ground?
• Is the angle 1 in 4?
• Does the top rest on a strong surface and extend at least 1 m above the landing or work?
• Are both stiles tied to a secure fixing, or is the next option on the list in place?
• Are doors, windows, vehicles and pedestrians controlled, and is any overhead line more than 6 m away horizontally or confirmed dead or insulated?
• Is the weather acceptable, and will you face the ladder and keep three points of contact?

Regulation 14 of the Work at Height Regulations also puts duties on workers to report anything relating to work at height that they know is likely to endanger safety. If a set-up does not feel right, say so.

On the numbers, HSE’s figures published on 1 July 2026 record 31 of 126 worker deaths in 2025/26 (provisional) as falls from a height (HSE press release). That covers all falls, not only ladders, and we found no figure separating ladder set-up failures from other ladder falls, so we make no claim about that.

What training helps with ladder set-up?

Three Nexis CPD courses support the knowledge behind a safe set-up:

Together they cost £18 rather than £27 under the pay-for-2-get-3 offer, and employers training 5 or more staff pay £6 a course place on the team plan. These are awareness-level CPD courses, not regulated qualifications, and they do not replace practical ladder training or the manufacturer’s instructions. HSE says you need to be competent, not formally qualified, to use a ladder, and the Ladder Association runs practical courses through approved centres. If you take one Nexis course, start with Ladder Safety Awareness: 15 questions, 80% to pass, and an instant certificate.

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Frequently asked questions

What angle should a ladder be set at?

About 75 degrees, using the 1-in-4 rule: one unit out from the wall for every four up. For a resting point 4 m up, the feet go about 1 m from the wall.

Do I have to tie a ladder?

A portable ladder must be prevented from slipping, and HSE’s first choice is to tie it, with both stiles tied. A ladder used to reach another level should be tied. If tying is not practical, the order is a stability device, then wedging, then footing as a last resort.

Is it acceptable to have someone foot the ladder?

Only as a last resort, when tying, a suitable device and wedging are not possible. The Ladder Association calls it the least effective way to stop a ladder slipping.

How far should a ladder extend above a roof or platform?

At least 1 m above the landing point, to give a secure handhold, and the ladder should be tied. For working rather than access, HSE says at least 1 m (three rungs) above where you work, and not to work off the top three rungs.

How close can a ladder be to an overhead power line?

HSE and LA455 say not to work within 6 m horizontally of any overhead power line unless it has been made dead or is protected with insulation. Assume lines are live and ask the line owner.

Does an awareness course replace practical ladder training?

No. Awareness CPD is not a regulated qualification and does not replace practical ladder training, your employer’s procedures or the manufacturer’s instructions.

General information, not legal advice. This guide reflects the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (Schedule 6 and regulations 4, 8 and 14), the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, HSE ladder guidance (last updated 5 June 2024), LA455 (version 1, revision 1, September 2026), the Ladder Association toolbox talks of September 2026 and HSE guidance note GS6, as checked on 31 October 2026. Northern Ireland has its own health and safety legislation, which we have not checked against an official source. Nexis CPD courses are CPD-accredited awareness training, not regulated qualifications, and they do not replace practical ladder training, your employer’s procedures, a risk assessment or the manufacturer’s instructions.