A non-self-supporting portable ladder adjustable in length may not exceed how many feet?

A non-self-supporting portable ladder adjustable in length may not exceed how many feet?

• A. 40
• B. 70
• C. 50
• D. 60

Answer: (D)

Ladders that aren’t self-supporting must be leaned against a structure, and safety rules limit how long those ladders can be. The maximum length for a non-self-supporting portable ladder is sixty feet. This keeps the ladder at a workable, stable angle and makes footing and securing the base practical; longer ladders become increasingly unstable and harder to control, which raises the risk of slipping or bending under load. If you need more reach, switch to a self-supporting ladder (like a step ladder) or another access method such as scaffolding, while keeping the proper angle and securing both ends. The 4:1 rule (base roughly one quarter of the height away from the wall) helps maintain that safe angle for ladders within this limit.

Ladders that aren’t self-supporting must be leaned against a structure, and safety rules limit how long those ladders can be. The maximum length for a non-self-supporting portable ladder is sixty feet. This keeps the ladder at a workable, stable angle and makes footing and securing the base practical; longer ladders become increasingly unstable and harder to control, which raises the risk of slipping or bending under load. If you need more reach, switch to a self-supporting ladder (like a step ladder) or another access method such as scaffolding, while keeping the proper angle and securing both ends. The 4:1 rule (base roughly one quarter of the height away from the wall) helps maintain that safe angle for ladders within this limit.