In Marine and Ports, 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 Marine and Ports 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 Marine and Ports: where the risk lies
A maintenance team accessing a quayside crane gantry in Cork or Arklow, where a fall could be to the deck or into the water. 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 Marine and Ports setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards
Before any Marine and Ports worker uses Roof Ladders and Crawl Boards, confirm that:
- Access to the roof is safe and secured
- Weather conditions are suitable
- The ridge hook is sound and properly engaged
- Boards are undamaged and rated
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
- No edge protection
- Walking directly on fragile sheets
- Use in wet or windy conditions
- Unsecured ridge hook
Port height work adds drowning risk to fall risk, so rescue planning must cover both.
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 Marine and Ports 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
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 Marine and Ports precisely because confidence drifts away from the rules over time, and a quick refresher resets it.
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 Marine and Ports, 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.
Frequently asked questions
Do Marine and Ports 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 Marine and Ports 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 Marine and Ports 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. Marine and Ports 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.
