Equipment guide Reduce lifting injuries on site

Working at Heights Equipment and access equipment.

Guide to equipment that reduces work-at-height risks in Irish workplaces. Learn about trolleys, hoists, access equipment, and mechanical assistance that protect workers from injury.

Start training €30 Team training

HSA compliant

access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) covered

Healthcare and industry

Injury prevention

Equipment edition

The best lift is no lift at all.

access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) are the most effective way to reduce Working at Heights injuries across Irish workplaces.

Principles of equipment use in course
Covers warehouse, healthcare and manufacturing
Meets Irish employer duty of care

Full course price

€30 · final price

Essential equipment types

Industry sectors

80%

Of lifts can be assisted

HSA

Regulatory alignment

Why equipment matters

Protect workers with the right lifting aid.

access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) and handling equipment are the most effective way to reduce Working at Heights injuries. Where equipment can do the lifting, human bodies are protected - and productivity often improves too.

Under Irish health and safety regulations, employers must avoid the need for hazardous Working at Heights where reasonably practicable. Providing appropriate access equipment and handling equipment is a key way to meet this duty and keep teams safe across every Irish sector.

The best lift is no lift at all. Always ask: is there equipment available that could do this task more safely?

This guide covers the most common pieces of Working at Heights Equipment used in Ireland - from platform trolleys and mobile elevated work platform (MEWP)s to patient hoists and slide sheets - and the principles for choosing the right tool for the task.

Equipment at a glance

construction and maintenancemobile elevated work platform (MEWP)s, platform trolleys, sack trucks, conveyors
Healthcare and care homesPatient hoists and slide sheets for safe transfers
Construction and manufacturingScissor lifts, vacuum lifters, lifting straps
Reduces fall riskLower falls from height, fewer serious injuries and less downtime
Employer dutyIrish law expects aids where reasonably practicable

Equipment types

Common Working at Heights Equipment.

These tools and aids reduce the need for manual lifting and lower the risk of workplace injury across Ireland.

Platform Trolleys

Flat platform on wheels for moving boxes, pallets, and multiple items at once. Uses: warehouse, retail, office.

Sack Trucks

Two-wheeled L-shaped trolleys for moving heavy boxes and sacks on edge. Uses: deliveries, stock handling.

mobile elevated work platform (MEWP)s

Manual or powered trucks for moving loaded pallets in warehouses. Uses: warehouse, logistics.

Patient Hoists

Mechanical lifts for transferring patients safely in healthcare settings. Uses: hospitals, care homes.

Scissor Lifts

Platforms that raise loads to working height, reducing bending. Uses: manufacturing, assembly.

Vacuum Lifters

Suction-based lifters for smooth, flat loads like glass and sheet materials. Uses: construction, manufacturing.

Conveyor Systems

Belt or roller systems that move goods without lifting. Uses: production lines, sorting.

Lifting Straps

Straps that improve grip and distribute load when team-based height work. Uses: moving large items.

Slide Sheets

Low-friction sheets for repositioning patients without lifting. Uses: healthcare, care homes.

Why equipment matters in every Irish workplace

Under Irish health and safety regulations, employers must avoid the need for hazardous Working at Heights where reasonably practicable. Providing appropriate equipment is a key way to meet this duty.

The best lift is no lift at all. Always ask: is there equipment available that could do this task more safely?

Selecting the right equipment

When choosing handling equipment, consider:

Task requirements - What needs to be moved and where?
Load characteristics - Weight, size, shape, fragility
Environment - Space available, floor surfaces, obstacles
Frequency - How often the task is performed
User capability - Training needed, physical demands

Employee responsibilities

Workers play a critical role in making equipment effective. Every employee should:

Use equipment provided for work-at-height tasks
Report equipment that is damaged or not working
Request equipment if tasks feel unsafe without it
Follow training on correct equipment use
Not bypass equipment to "save time"

Equipment training and supervision

Providing equipment is only half the solution. Irish employers must also train staff in its correct use. Our Working at Heights Course covers the principles of using access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) safely. Specific operator training - for example forklift or overhead crane use - is provided separately by accredited specialist trainers.

Maintenance and inspection

access equipment must be inspected regularly and maintained in good working order. Damaged trolleys, frayed lifting straps, or poorly serviced hoists become hazards themselves. A clear reporting system ensures faults are fixed quickly and equipment remains safe to use.

FAQs

Equipment and lifting aid questions.

Answers to the most common questions about Working at Heights Equipment in Irish workplaces.

Does the Working at Heights Course cover equipment use?

Yes. Our course covers the principles of using access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) to reduce Working at Heights risk. Specific equipment training (like forklift or hoist operation) may require additional specialised courses.

Can I refuse to lift if equipment is not provided?

You can raise concerns about tasks you feel are unsafe. If a load exceeds safe Working at Heights limits and equipment should be provided, discuss with your supervisor. Workers should not be forced to perform unsafe tasks.

Who is responsible for providing equipment?

Employers are responsible for providing appropriate equipment to reduce work-at-height risks. Workers should request equipment if tasks cannot be done safely without it.

What types of access equipment are used in Irish workplaces?

Common access equipment in Irish workplaces include platform trolleys, sack trucks, mobile elevated work platform (MEWP)s, patient hoists, scissor lifts, vacuum lifters, conveyor systems, lifting straps, and slide sheets. Each is suited to specific tasks and environments.

Are access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) mandatory under Irish law?

Irish health and safety regulations require employers to avoid hazardous Working at Heights where reasonably practicable. Providing appropriate equipment is a key way to meet this duty and is often the safest option.

Learn equipment principles in our Working at Heights Course.

Our HSA compliant course covers safe use of access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs) as part of comprehensive Working at Heights Training. Complete online in 45 minutes and receive your certificate instantly.

Start training €30 Team training enquiry

Explore more Working at Heights resources.

Continue learning with related guides on training, risk, and workplace safety.

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.

Greater Dublin

Dublin Swords Tallaght Blanchardstown Bray

East & South East

Drogheda Dundalk Wexford Kilkenny

Munster

Cork Waterford Limerick

Connacht & West

Galway

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