In Signage and Events, Anchor Points and Lifelines are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Signage and Events teams in Ireland use Anchor Points and Lifelines safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Anchor Points and Lifelines in Signage and Events: where the risk lies
A crew rigging lighting and signage for a Dublin event under a tight overnight build, where speed and safety must coexist. Anchor Points and Lifelines are suited to providing a secure attachment for restraint or arrest systems on roofs, structures and access routes, but in a Signage and Events setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Anchor Points and Lifelines
Before any Signage and Events worker uses Anchor Points and Lifelines, confirm that:
- The anchor is certified and rated for the load
- The connector is compatible and locked
- The system is in date for inspection
- Fall-clearance below the anchor is sufficient
The relevant standard here is EN 795 (anchor devices), installed and certified by a competent person and inspected regularly.
Common Anchor Points and Lifelines faults to never ignore
- Incompatible connectors
- Using unrated structure as an anchor
- Corroded or loose fixings
- Insufficient fall clearance
Event rigging combines height, dropped-object and crowd risk, so exclusion zones and competent riggers are essential.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
The practical fix is straightforward. Our Working at Heights Course is delivered fully online, takes about 45 minutes, and issues a downloadable certificate the same day. It is CPD certified, RoSPA approved and QQI aligned, and it is written specifically for Signage and Events teams using Anchor Points and Lifelines.
The Working at Heights Training covers the avoid-prevent-minimise hierarchy, ladder and stepladder safety, MEWPs and scaffolds, harnesses and anchor points, and how to carry out a proper risk assessment. Every learner finishes with a recognised Working at Heights Certificate that stands up to HSA inspection and supports your insurance position.
Training that goes beyond the tick-box
Young and new workers are over-represented in fall statistics, and Anchor Points and Lifelines in Signage and Events is no exception. Setting good habits from the very first day - never climbing on furniture, never overreaching, always inspecting equipment - is far easier than unlearning bad ones later. Early certification with a Working at Heights Course pays back for an entire career.
The cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For Anchor Points and Lifelines in Signage and Events, that can mean long-handled tools, lowering the task to ground level, or designing the job so no one needs to climb. Where that is impossible, collective protection such as guardrails and platforms beats personal protection every time.
Frequently asked questions
Do Signage and Events workers need training to use Anchor Points and Lifelines?
Yes. Safe use of Anchor Points and Lifelines is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Signage and Events tasks.
How often should Anchor Points and Lifelines be inspected?
Before every use by the operator, plus formal recorded inspections to the relevant standard. Keep the logs for HSA inspection.
Is online training enough for Signage and Events height work?
Our online Working at Heights Training covers the legal and safe-system knowledge; equipment-specific practical tickets (such as IPAF or PASMA) are added where the task requires them.
Get certified today
Do not wait for an HSA inspection or a near miss to act. Signage and Events teams can complete the Working at Heights Course online in 45 minutes and download a certificate the same day. For 10 or more learners, see our team training rates, or contact our team for a tailored quote.
Start the online Working at Heights Training now and put a recognised certificate in every worker's file before the next job at height begins.
