the right half 44 is a side brace 38 that face outward fig8 shows a rear view of the side braces 38 on the right half 44 the side braces 38 are approximately 2 inches tall and just wide enough to fit inside the side rails 20 of the ladder being used the outside surface of each side brace 38 has a side brace grip 40 preferably made of rubber the second alternate embodiment operates differently from the preferred embodiment and the first alternate embodiment only in its application and removal from a ladder its passive operation of preventing the use of the top step and rung is identical to the two previously mentioned iterations when applying the second alternate embodiment to a ladder the device begins in a closed position with the two guard body halves 42 and 44 interlocked and pushed together to create the narrowest width and laced inside the opening created by the top rung 18 and step 22 and the two side rails the two halves are then separated until the side braces 38 contact the inside of the side rails snugly the locking teeth 36 on the right and left halves 42 and 44 lock against each other keeping the two halves in position and securing the device in the ladder the side brace grip 40 keeps the device from slipping and protects the side rails of the ladder from damage.