In Forestry, 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 Forestry 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 Forestry: where the risk lies
An arborist sectioning a storm-damaged tree in a Wicklow plantation, relying entirely on climbing systems and a rescue-ready colleague. Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) are suited to reaching over obstacles and to height where an articulating or telescopic boom is needed, but in a Forestry setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts)
Before any Forestry worker uses Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts), confirm that:
- Function and emergency-lowering checks before use
- Ground assessment for stability and voids
- Harness and short restraint lanyard clipped to the anchor
- Overhead and electrical clearances confirmed
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
- Soft or sloping ground
- Untrained operators
- No harness or wrong lanyard length
- No rescue plan
Aerial tree work is specialist height work needing dedicated arborist training and rescue capability.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
Here is the good news: getting compliant is fast and inexpensive. 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 Forestry 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
Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of serious and fatal workplace injury in Ireland, year after year. The pattern is depressingly consistent for Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Forestry: a short task, a familiar setting, a ladder or platform that seemed fine, and a single moment of overreach. Proper training breaks that pattern by making the safe choice the automatic one.
Insurers now ask directly whether your team holds current Working at Heights certification before they price a policy or settle a claim involving Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Forestry. A worker hurt at height with no Working at Heights Certificate turns a defensible incident into an indefensible one, and that follows your premium for years.
Frequently asked questions
Do Forestry 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 Forestry 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 Forestry 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. Forestry 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.
