Working at Heights means any work in a place where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury, including work on ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs (cherry pickers and scissor lifts), roofs, lofts, racking, raised platforms and near unprotected edges or openings. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Part 4, Irish employers are legally required to assess work at height risks and provide appropriate Working at Heights Training to all employees who perform these tasks. The key principles follow the hierarchy of control: avoid work at height where possible, prevent falls using collective protection such as guardrails and scaffolds, minimise the distance and consequences of any fall, and use personal fall protection such as harnesses and anchor points where needed.
Falls from height are among the leading causes of serious workplace injury and death in Ireland, and account for a major share of fatalities reported to the HSA each year. Fractures, head and spinal injuries and other serious harm can result from poor planning, unsafe access or missing fall protection. Completing a Working at Heights Course is not just a legal requirement. It is essential for protecting your health, preventing falls, and advancing your career.