North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

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Prepare for the North Carolina Building Contractor License Exam. Explore detailed quizzes with explanations and challenging multiple-choice questions designed for you. Get ready for your licensing success!

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The top or top step of a ladder may be used as a step only if what condition is met?

The ladder is secured
It is less than 5 feet from the ground
The user is experienced
The ladder has a handrail

The correct answer is: The ladder is secured

Using the top or top step of a ladder is only safe when the ladder is secured. Securing the ladder ensures stability and reduces the risk of it slipping or tipping over while a person is using it. This is particularly important because the top step is inherently more precarious than the lower steps; if the ladder shifts, significant injuries can occur. While the other choices may pertain to ladder safety in certain contexts, they do not directly address the specific criteria for using the top step safely. For instance, the height of the ladder, the user’s experience, or the presence of a handrail do not guarantee that the ladder remains stable enough during use. Hence, securing the ladder is the key factor that ensures safety when using the top step.