Which feature prevents the ladder from slipping at the base?

Which feature prevents the ladder from slipping at the base?

• A. Stops
• B. Rungs
• C. Rails
• D. Butt spurs

Answer: (D)

Preventing base slip comes from how the bottom of the ladder interacts with the ground. Butt spurs extend from the ends of the feet and dig into the surface, especially on soft or uneven ground, creating a fixed, anchored footing that resists outward or sideways movement. That grip to the ground is what keeps the ladder from sliding at the base. The other features are structural or functional parts of the ladder and don’t provide the same anchoring effect: stops limit movement of components, rungs are the steps you climb, and rails are the side members that keep the ladder rigid.