In Signage and Events, Ladders 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 Ladders safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Ladders 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. Ladders are suited to short-duration, light work where three points of contact can be kept and a better platform is not justified, but in a Signage and Events setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Ladders
Before any Signage and Events worker uses Ladders, confirm that:
- Stiles are straight and undamaged
- Rungs are secure, clean and not worn
- Feet are present, intact and grip the surface
- No makeshift repairs, paint hiding cracks, or missing parts
The relevant standard here is EN 131 (the current European standard for portable ladders; older Class 1 / EN 131 markings indicate industrial duty).
Common Ladders faults to never ignore
- Bent or split stiles
- Loose or damaged rungs
- Seized locking bars
- Mud or grease on rungs reducing grip
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 Ladders.
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
Insurers now ask directly whether your team holds current Working at Heights certification before they price a policy or settle a claim involving Ladders in Signage and Events. 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.
Young and new workers are over-represented in fall statistics, and Ladders 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.
Frequently asked questions
Do Signage and Events workers need training to use Ladders?
Yes. Safe use of Ladders 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 Ladders 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.
