In Warehouse and Logistics, 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 Warehouse and Logistics 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 Warehouse and Logistics: where the risk lies
A peak-season distribution centre where pickers reach top-tier racking under time pressure and the temptation to climb is constant. Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) are suited to reaching over obstacles and to height where an articulating or telescopic boom is needed, but in a Warehouse and Logistics setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts)
Before any Warehouse and Logistics worker uses Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts), confirm that:
- Guardrails and gate intact
- Ground assessment for stability and voids
- Function and emergency-lowering checks before use
- Harness and short restraint lanyard clipped to the anchor
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
- No harness or wrong lanyard length
- Catapult risk when the basket snags and frees
- Soft or sloping ground
- No rescue plan
Never use racking as a ladder. Provide proper access equipment and train staff that the cost of a missed pick is nothing beside a fall.
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 Warehouse and Logistics 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 Warehouse and Logistics, 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 cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For Cherry Pickers (Boom Lifts) in Warehouse and Logistics, 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 Warehouse and Logistics 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 Warehouse and Logistics 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 Warehouse and Logistics 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. Warehouse and Logistics 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.
