In Electrical Contracting, Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Electrical Contracting teams in Ireland use Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Electrical Contracting: where the risk lies
An electrician running overhead containment across a warehouse, switching between a MEWP and a tower as the run crosses the building. Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) are suited to reaching over obstacles and to height where an articulating or telescopic boom is needed, but in a Electrical Contracting setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts)
Before any Electrical Contracting worker uses Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts), confirm that:
- Overhead and electrical clearances confirmed
- Ground assessment for stability and voids
- Harness and short restraint lanyard clipped to the anchor
- Function and emergency-lowering checks before use
The relevant standard here is EN 280, operated by IPAF 3b card holders with a worn, in-date harness and restraint lanyard.
Common Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) faults to never ignore
- Catapult risk when the basket snags and frees
- No harness or wrong lanyard length
- Soft or sloping ground
- No rescue plan
Combining electrical and height risk demands isolation, the right non-conductive equipment and competent supervision.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
You do not need a classroom or a lost work day to fix this. 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 Electrical Contracting teams using Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts).
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
Weather turns a routine job into a dangerous one faster than anything else in Ireland. Wind, rain, frost and poor light all raise the risk of Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Electrical Contracting, and the right call is often to stop and reassess rather than push on. Knowing where that line sits is part of being properly trained.
The most expensive mistake employers make with Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Electrical Contracting is treating training as a box-ticking exercise. The Health and Safety Authority does not just want a certificate on file; it wants evidence that the worker understood the avoid-prevent-minimise hierarchy and applied it on the day. A genuine Working at Heights Course builds that understanding, which is exactly why our online programme uses real scenarios rather than slides.
Frequently asked questions
Do Electrical Contracting workers need training to use Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts)?
Yes. Safe use of Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Electrical Contracting tasks.
How often should Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) 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 Electrical Contracting 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. Electrical Contracting 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.
