In Manufacturing, Scissor Lifts are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Manufacturing teams in Ireland use Scissor Lifts safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Scissor Lifts in Manufacturing: where the risk lies
A planned shutdown where maintenance crews access overhead conveyors and services that are impossible to reach during production. Scissor Lifts are suited to vertical access for indoor and firm-ground tasks such as installation, maintenance and high-bay work, but in a Manufacturing setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Scissor Lifts
Before any Manufacturing worker uses Scissor Lifts, confirm that:
- Controls and emergency lowering function correctly
- The floor is firm, level and rated for the load
- Guardrails and gates are intact
- Travel routes are clear of overheads and obstructions
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
- No inspection record
- Untrained use
- Driving elevated over uneven floors
- Overreaching or climbing the guardrails
Permit-to-work systems should tie work-at-height tasks to lock-out/tag-out so no one is working above live machinery.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
Here is the good news: getting compliant is fast and inexpensive. 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 Manufacturing 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
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 Manufacturing precisely because confidence drifts away from the rules over time, and a quick refresher resets it.
Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of serious and fatal workplace injury in Ireland, year after year. The pattern is depressingly consistent for Scissor Lifts in Manufacturing: a short task, a familiar setting, a ladder or platform that seemed fine, and a single moment of overreach. Proper training breaks that pattern by making the safe choice the automatic one.
Frequently asked questions
Do Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing 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 Manufacturing 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 cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For scissor lifts in manufacturing, 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.
Get certified today
Do not wait for an HSA inspection or a near miss to act. Manufacturing 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.
