Ladder Height
To ensure you choose the ladder best suited to your needs, follow the Werner height safety chart. The highest permitted standing level on a step ladder is two steps down from the top. A person standing higher may lose their balance and fall. A person’s maximum safe reaching height is approximately 4' higher than the height of the ladder. For example, a typical person can safely reach an 8' ceiling on a 4' ladder*.
Extension Ladders
Extension ladders should be 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point, which may be the wall or roof line. This will allow enough length for proper setup, the overlap of ladder sections, height restrictions of the highest standing level, and where appropriate, the extension of the ladder above the roof line. The highest standing level is four rungs down from the top.
| STEP LADDER REACH GUIDE | ||
| Ladder Height | Maximum Reach* | |
| 4' | 8' | |
| 6' | 10' | |
| 7' | 11' | |
| 8' | 12' | |
| 10' | 14' | |
| 12' | 16' | |
| 14' | 18' | |
| 16' | 20' | |
| EXTENSION LADDER REACH GUIDE | ||
| Ladder Height | Maximum Reach* | Height to Gutter or Top Support Point++ |
| 16' | 15' | 9' maximum |
| 20' | 19' | 9' to 13' |
| 24' | 23' | 13' to 17' |
| 28' | 27' | 17' to 21' |
| 32' | 31' | 21' to 25' |
| 36' | 34' | 25' to 28' |
| 40' | 37' | 28' to 31' |
| APPROXIMATE MATERIAL WEIGHTS | |
| Portable Sprayer | 20 lbs. |
| Ceiling Fan | 30 lbs. |
| Tool Box with Tools | 35 lbs. |
| Garage Door Opener | 40 lbs. |
| 5 Gallons of Paint | 60 lbs. |
| Basketball Hoop | 60 lbs. |
| Bundle of Shingles | 70 lbs. |
| 5 Gallons of Roof Coating | 70 lbs. |
| 3x4 Window | 80 lbs. |
| Sheet of Plywood | 80 lbs. |
| (3) 4x4's | 80 lbs. |
* Assumes a 5'6" person with a 12" reach
++Support points for extension ladders reflect section overlap, ladder angle, or 3' extension above