In Signage and Events, Scissor Lifts are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Signage and Events teams in Ireland use Scissor Lifts safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Scissor Lifts in Signage and Events: where the risk lies
A crew rigging lighting and signage for a Dublin event under a tight overnight build, where speed and safety must coexist. Scissor Lifts are suited to vertical access for indoor and firm-ground tasks such as installation, maintenance and high-bay work, but in a Signage and Events setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Scissor Lifts
Before any Signage and Events worker uses Scissor Lifts, confirm that:
- Travel routes are clear of overheads and obstructions
- The platform extension is locked when used
- Guardrails and gates are intact
- Controls and emergency lowering function correctly
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
- Overloading the platform
- Overreaching or climbing the guardrails
- Untrained use
Event rigging combines height, dropped-object and crowd risk, so exclusion zones and competent riggers are essential.
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 Signage and Events 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
The cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For Scissor Lifts in Signage and Events, 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.
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 Signage and Events, 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 Signage and Events 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 Signage and Events 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 Signage and Events 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. Signage and Events 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.
