What is the minimum distance above the upper contact point that the side rails of your ladder should extend?

The side rails of a ladder should extend a minimum of 3 feet above the upper contact point to provide sufficient support and stability for the user as they transition onto and off the ladder. This extension ensures that individuals have a secure grip and can safely step onto higher surfaces without the risk of losing balance. It also helps prevent accidents that can occur when a person attempts to reach for something while on the ladder, as the extended side rails provide a reliable handhold.

Other lengths, such as 1 foot, 2 feet, or 4 feet, do not provide the same level of safety and may result in insufficient support or difficulty maintaining balance when getting on or off the ladder. Hence, extending the side rails by 3 feet is the standard recommendation to promote safety in ladder use.