Painting and decorating in Ireland used to be a stepladder trade. In 2026 it is a podium-step, tower-scaffold and (occasionally) MEWP trade, with insurance and main contractors driving the change. Here is what an Irish painter or decorator needs.
The painter's work-at-height equipment ladder
- Hop-up / step stool - small low-level access, indoor, single tradesperson
- Podium step - guarded platform, replaces the dangerous "stand on top of stepladder" habit
- Stepladder - EN 131 Professional, short tasks only, three points of contact
- Tower scaffold - PASMA assembled, for stairwells and tall ceilings
- Independent scaffold - for external full-house repaints
- MEWP - exterior commercial repaints over 3 storeys
Stairwell painting - the highest-risk task
Painting the wall above an internal staircase is statistically the most dangerous routine task for Irish decorators. The stepladder sits on uneven steps, the painter reaches sideways, the ladder slips. The fix:
- Stairwell tower / staircase platform with adjustable legs, sold in every Irish trade store
- Podium with leveler legs on smaller stairs
- Never improvise with planks across stepladders, blocks of wood under one leg, or "I will just hold it"
The 30-minute rule
HSA guidance and insurer rules treat any task lasting more than 30 minutes on a ladder as the wrong tool choice. Most domestic decorating jobs (cornicing a ceiling, cutting in a hallway) exceed 30 minutes. Move to a podium step or tower.
External work - the Irish weather problem
Painting Irish exteriors means painting between rain showers. Wet rungs, slippery render, gusty wind on a gable end. Weather rules:
- Wind over 12 m/s - stop external ladder work
- Wet ladder rungs - dry or stop
- Rain on render - stop (and the paint will not stick anyway)
- Frost on metal ladders - hot drink and wait
Insurance reality
Irish painter and decorator public liability premiums dropped 20-30% over 5 years for businesses that show:
- Working at Heights Certificate for every painter
- Inspection log for ladders
- Tower scaffold or podium step in the kit
- Risk assessment for the typical job types
The certificate is the cheapest single thing on that list - 35 euro per worker.
Common Irish decorator mistakes
- Standing on the top step of a stepladder ("I just need an extra few inches")
- Using a domestic-grade DIY stepladder for trade work (not EN 131 Professional)
- Painting on a stairwell with one leg of the stepladder on the riser, one on the landing
- Carrying a 5L tin up a stepladder instead of using a paint pot hook
- Reaching sideways - the moment your belt buckle leaves the stiles, you are off-balance
The training piece
The Working at Heights Course online covers stepladder selection, podium steps, tower scaffolds, edge protection on stairwells, weather decisions and rescue planning. 45 minutes, 35 euro, instant Working at Heights Certificate. Three years valid, recognised by Irish insurers and main contractors.
Crew certification
If your decorating business has 3+ employees, certify everyone in one afternoon. Team training page shows volume rates - typically you save 30% over individual sign-up.
FAQs
Are wallpaper hangers covered by the same course?
Yes. Same heights, same equipment, same risks - the Working at Heights Course covers any trade that uses ladders, podiums or tower scaffolds.
Do I need a certificate for domestic-only work?
Yes. The SHWW Act applies regardless of whether the customer is residential or commercial. Insurers also require it.
Is the certificate valid in the UK if I take cross-border jobs?
Yes. CPD UK accreditation makes it valid throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.
Cover the trade in one course. Start the Working at Heights Course online for the whole crew tonight, certificates by morning, ready for tomorrow's job.
