5. Ladders used as a means of communication in, on, or about a scaffold or building under construction or repair should have a level and solid footing and be securely fixed at the top point of rest.
A firmly fixed wedge will usually supply a level-footing. A sloping pavement generally causes this danger when the ladder is not standing at right angles to the incline.
A solid footing is also most necessary. Ladders are sometimes seen raised upon a stack of loose bricks or other similar material, which is a most dangerous practice.
Ladders can be fixed in various ways:—
(a) by lodgment on a suitable part of the building, say within an embrasure;
(b) by tying to the highest point of rest;
(c) by the use of guy ropes to adjacent parts of the building.
As to—
(a) This is a fairly satisfactory method and is safer with long and therefore heavy ladders, the weight being helpful to keep the proper position.
(b) is the most secure but not always possible.