What safety measure should be taken when placing a ladder against a building on a busy sidewalk?

When placing a ladder against a building on a busy sidewalk, the most effective safety measure is to barricade the area or have a worker positioned in front of the ladder. This action helps to protect both the worker using the ladder and pedestrians passing by. By creating a barrier or having a dedicated person to manage foot traffic, the risk of accidents or injuries is significantly reduced. The barricade alerts pedestrians to the presence of the ladder and allows the worker to focus on their task without the distraction of moving traffic.

Other safety measures, while important in various contexts, are not as directly relevant in this scenario. For instance, ensuring the ladder is taller than the building does not address the safety of pedestrians and may lead to an unsafe working environment if the ladder is not properly secured. Wearing a hard hat is prudent, but it primarily protects the individual on the ladder from falling objects rather than addressing public safety concerns. Using fiberglass ladders can be beneficial for electrical work due to their non-conductive properties, but it does not specifically enhance safety regarding interaction with pedestrians on a busy sidewalk. Thus, the most appropriate and safety-conscious answer focuses on managing the area around the ladder effectively.