In Roofing, 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 Roofing 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 Roofing: where the risk lies
A re-slating job on a pitched domestic roof in winter, where one slip on a frosted slate can be fatal without edge protection and a rescue plan. Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) are suited to reaching over obstacles and to height where an articulating or telescopic boom is needed, but in a Roofing setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts)
Before any Roofing worker uses Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts), confirm that:
- Harness and short restraint lanyard clipped to the anchor
- Guardrails and gate intact
- Function and emergency-lowering checks before use
- Ground assessment for stability and voids
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
- Catapult risk when the basket snags and frees
- Untrained operators
- No harness or wrong lanyard length
Fragile-roof work is one of the HSA's top fatal-fall causes. Crawl boards, perimeter protection and a documented rescue plan are expected before anyone steps onto the roof.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
Certifying your people is quicker than most employers expect. 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 Roofing 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
Competence is not the same as experience. A worker who has used ladders for twenty years can still carry twenty years of bad habits. Refresher training matters for Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Roofing precisely because confidence drifts away from the rules over time, and a quick refresher resets it.
The cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Roofing, 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 Roofing 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 Roofing 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 Roofing 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. Roofing 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.
