In Food Production, Scissor Lifts are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Food Production teams in Ireland use Scissor Lifts safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Scissor Lifts in Food Production: where the risk lies
A food plant's overnight sanitation and maintenance window, when crews access overhead services above freshly cleaned, slippery floors. Scissor Lifts are suited to vertical access for indoor and firm-ground tasks such as installation, maintenance and high-bay work, but in a Food Production setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Scissor Lifts
Before any Food Production worker uses Scissor Lifts, confirm that:
- Controls and emergency lowering function correctly
- Travel routes are clear of overheads and obstructions
- The platform extension is locked when used
- The floor is firm, level and rated for the load
The relevant standard here is EN 280, operated by IPAF 3a card holders, thoroughly examined every 6 months.
Common Scissor Lifts faults to never ignore
- Driving elevated over uneven floors
- Overloading the platform
- Overreaching or climbing the guardrails
- Untrained use
Wet, hygienic environments add slip risk to height work, so anti-slip access and clear scheduling are essential.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
Certifying your people is quicker than most employers expect. 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 Food Production teams using Scissor Lifts.
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 Scissor Lifts in Food Production, 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 Scissor Lifts in Food Production precisely because confidence drifts away from the rules over time, and a quick refresher resets it.
Frequently asked questions
Do Food Production workers need training to use Scissor Lifts?
Yes. Safe use of Scissor Lifts is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Food Production tasks.
How often should Scissor Lifts 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 Food Production 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 scissor lifts in food production 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. Food Production 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.
