Education Sector Guide
For teachers, SNAs, caretakers
Working at Heights Training for Education and Schools in Ireland.
Essential Working at Heights Training for teachers, school staff, caretakers, and education professionals. Learn safe techniques for handling equipment, furniture, and assisting students with mobility needs.
HSA compliant
School schedule friendly
Team pricing
Instant certificate
Education edition
Protect every staff member in Irish primary, secondary, and special schools.
From moving classroom furniture to assisting students with mobility needs, our course keeps education staff safer every day.
- Fits around term time and holidays
- Meets HSA training requirements
- Team pricing for whole staff rooms
Full course price
€30 · final price
6
Key school roles covered
45 min
Per staff member
HSA
Compliant course
3 Years
Certificate validity
Education focused
Working at Heights in Educational Settings.
Schools and educational institutions present unique Working at Heights challenges. From setting up classrooms and moving furniture to assisting students with special needs, education staff regularly perform tasks that can cause injury without proper training.
Our Working at Heights Course equips teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs), caretakers, and administrative staff with the knowledge to work safely in educational environments.
Schools have a duty of care not only to students but also to staff. Working at Heights Training is essential for protecting education workers from preventable injuries.
Who needs training
Education Roles That Require Working at Heights Training.
Various roles within educational settings benefit from Working at Heights Training.
Special Needs Assistants
SNAs who assist students with physical disabilities or mobility needs.
Teachers
Teaching staff who move classroom furniture and equipment.
Caretakers
Maintenance staff responsible for school facilities.
School Secretaries
Administrative staff handling supplies and office equipment.
PE Teachers
Sports staff setting up and storing gym equipment.
Lab Technicians
Science staff handling equipment and materials.
Why Schools Need Working at Heights Training
Educational institutions have the same health and safety obligations as any workplace. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires school employers (boards of management, ETBs, or school patrons) to protect staff from workplace hazards.
Working at Heights injuries in schools often occur because staff do not recognise the risks in everyday tasks. A teacher moving desks, an SNA assisting a student, or a caretaker carrying supplies - all can sustain injuries without proper technique.
Schools must assess work-at-height tasks and provide appropriate training. This is not optional - it is a legal requirement under Irish health and safety legislation.
Special Considerations for SNAs
Special Needs Assistants often face significant work-at-height demands when supporting students with physical disabilities. This may include:
- Transferring students between wheelchairs and seating
- Assisting with toileting and personal care
- Supporting mobility around the school
- Handling specialised equipment
These tasks require additional training beyond basic Working at Heights. Schools should ensure SNAs receive specific training relevant to the students they support.
School Principal and Board Responsibilities
- Risk Assessment - Identify work-at-height tasks performed by staff
- Training - Provide appropriate Working at Heights Training to affected staff
- Equipment - Supply handling aids where necessary (trolleys, hoists for special needs)
- Safe Systems - Establish procedures for tasks like classroom rearrangement
- Records - Maintain training records for compliance
FAQs
Education Working at Heights Questions.
Common questions from Irish schools, principals, and education staff.
Do teachers really need Working at Heights Training?
Yes. Teachers regularly move furniture, carry supplies, and may assist students. Any staff member who performs tasks that could cause injury should receive training.
Is online training accepted for school staff?
Yes. Our online Working at Heights Course is HSA compliant and accepted by schools across Ireland. It is convenient for staff to complete during non-teaching time or over school holidays.
Do SNAs need additional training beyond this course?
SNAs who assist students with significant physical needs may require additional working at height in care settings training specific to their role. Our course provides the foundation, but schools should assess specific requirements.
Can the school pay for staff training?
Yes. Employers (schools) should pay for required safety training. We offer team pricing for schools training multiple staff members. Contact us for a quote.
Train Your School Staff Today.
Protect education workers with proper Working at Heights Training. Flexible online learning that fits around the school timetable.
Related resources
Explore More.
Useful pages for principals, boards of management, and school staff.
Coverage · Ireland nationwide
Working at Heights Training, everywhere you work.
One HSA compliant, QQI aligned, CPD and RoSPA approved Working at Heights Course - delivered online to every Irish city, every industry and every role. Instant Working at Heights Certificate on passing, valid for 3 years nationwide.
Renewing? Use our fast Working at Heights Refresher. Looking for formally recognised training? See our Working at Heights QQI page. Need the basics first? Start with what Working at Heights actually is and the risk assessment for work at height.
Find your city
Every major Irish city has its own dedicated Working at Heights Course page - same HSA compliant training, tuned to your local workforce.
Find your industry
Eight sector variants, from healthcare to farming, with real Irish workplace scenarios specific to your day-to-day.
Healthcare & HSE
Nurses, care assistants, porters, paramedics and home carers across every Irish health service.
Warehousing & logistics
Pickers, packers, forklift operators, couriers and distribution centre staff lifting daily.
Retail & supermarkets
Shop floor teams, stockroom workers and delivery drivers in stores and shopping centres.
Construction & trades
Labourers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and plant operators on every Irish site.
Manufacturing
Production line, assembly, quality control and maintenance in pharma, food and medtech.
Hospitality & catering
Kitchen, housekeeping, maintenance and event teams across hotels and venues.
Office & administration
Office teams handling deliveries, IT equipment, file boxes and furniture moves.
Agriculture & farming
Farm workers, livestock handlers, agricultural contractors and seasonal crews.
Every Working at Heights resource
Training, certification, refresher, online delivery and specialist guides - one accredited Irish platform, one consistent standard.
Working at Heights Course
Full HSA compliant syllabus, video modules, short assessment and instant certificate - 45 minutes, any device.
Explore course
Working at Heights Training
Why training matters, Irish employer duties under the SHWW Regulations, and what good training looks like.
Learn more
Working at Heights Certificate
How the certificate is issued, how long it lasts, and how Irish employers verify it online at any time.
See certificate
Working at Heights Online
Flexible online delivery on phone, tablet or desktop - the same HSA aligned standards on any device.
Go online
Working at Heights Refresher
Renew your Working at Heights Cert in 45 minutes with the latest HSA guidance - verifiable for a fresh 3-year cycle.
Refresh now
Working at Heights QQI
How QQI, CPD and RoSPA accreditation work together in Ireland - and what employers actually recognise.
See accreditation
Popular Working at Heights searches
Exact-match phrases Irish workers and employers search for - each one links to the right page on our site.
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