In Forestry, Podium Steps 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 Podium Steps safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Podium Steps 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. Podium Steps are suited to low-level indoor work where a guarded, stable platform beats a stepladder, but in a Forestry setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Podium Steps
Before any Forestry worker uses Podium Steps, confirm that:
- The gate self-closes and latches
- Castors are locked in use
- Guardrails are intact
- The platform is clean and undamaged
The relevant standard here is EN 131-7 (mobile platforms); a guarded, stable alternative to stepladders.
Common Podium Steps faults to never ignore
- Overreaching beyond the guardrail
- Unlocked castors
- Damaged platform
- Gate left open
Aerial tree work is specialist height work needing dedicated arborist training and rescue capability.
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 Forestry teams using Podium Steps.
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
Documentation is what turns good practice into proven compliance for Podium Steps in Forestry. Keep your risk assessment, your method statement, your equipment inspection logs and your training records together, and an HSA visit becomes a short, calm conversation rather than a drawn-out investigation.
The cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For Podium Steps in Forestry, 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 Forestry workers need training to use Podium Steps?
Yes. Safe use of Podium Steps is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Forestry tasks.
How often should Podium Steps 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.
More on staying safe at height
The most expensive mistake employers make with podium steps in forestry is treating training as a box-ticking exercise. The Health and Safety Authority does not just want a certificate on file; it wants evidence that the worker understood the avoid-prevent-minimise hierarchy and applied it on the day. A genuine Working at Heights Course builds that understanding, which is exactly why our online programme uses real scenarios rather than slides.
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.
