In Facilities Management, Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Facilities Management teams in Ireland use Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards in Facilities Management: where the risk lies
A maintenance technician changing high-bay lighting in a shopping centre, balancing footfall, access equipment and a tight overnight window. Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards are suited to spreading load and providing footing on pitched or fragile roofs where access cannot be avoided, but in a Facilities Management setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards
Before any Facilities Management worker uses Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards, confirm that:
- Access to the roof is safe and secured
- Edge protection is in place
- Weather conditions are suitable
- The ridge hook is sound and properly engaged
The relevant standard here is used with edge protection and a rescue plan; selected for the roof pitch and fragility.
Common Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards faults to never ignore
- Unsecured ridge hook
- Walking directly on fragile sheets
- Use in wet or windy conditions
- No rescue plan
FM teams carry out the widest variety of height tasks of any sector, so general Working at Heights training plus task-specific assessments are essential.
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 Facilities Management teams using Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards.
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 Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards in Facilities Management, 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.
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 Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards in Facilities Management precisely because confidence drifts away from the rules over time, and a quick refresher resets it.
Frequently asked questions
Do Facilities Management workers need training to use Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards?
Yes. Safe use of Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Facilities Management tasks.
How often should Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards 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 Facilities Management 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. Facilities Management 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.
