Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of serious and fatal workplace injuries in Ireland, which is why height work demands proper planning and trained people. This guide explains in plain English what a Working at Heights Course covers, who needs it under Irish law, and how an accredited online course gets your team certified quickly.
Our Working at Heights Course is fully online, self-paced and CPD certified. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes, finishes with a short assessment, and gives you a downloadable certificate the same day - no travel, no classroom day, and no waiting for the post.
Who needs Working at Heights training
The Working at Heights Course is designed for construction, maintenance, roofing, warehousing, window cleaning, telecoms and facilities staff who work above ground level. In Ireland, employers have a clear duty to make sure anyone exposed to these risks is properly trained and competent - and that includes supervisors and managers, not just frontline staff.
Because the course is online and self-paced, it fits around real working life. One person can certify in an afternoon, or a whole team can be brought up to the same standard without anyone leaving the workplace.
What the Working at Heights Course covers
The course builds practical, job-ready knowledge from the ground up. By the end you will understand:
- The Work at Height Regulations and the hierarchy of control
- Planning and risk-assessing height work
- Ladders, step ladders and when they are suitable
- Scaffolds, MEWPs and access equipment
- Fall protection, harnesses and anchor points
- Inspecting equipment and rescue planning
Everything is explained in clear, plain English with real workplace examples, so the learning sticks and people can apply it straight away.
Why Working at Heights training matters
When training is skipped, the same avoidable problems show up again and again. The risks our Working at Heights Course is built to prevent include:
- Poorly assembled access equipment
- Falling tools and materials
- Unprotected edges and openings
- Unsuitable or damaged ladders
The worst outcome is rarely dramatic equipment failure - it is usually a fall that ends a career or a life. Proper training is the simplest, cheapest way to stop that happening, and it gives staff the confidence to do the job safely.
The law in Ireland
This area is governed by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Work at Height) Regulations 2006, sitting under the general duties in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Together they require employers to assess risks, put controls in place, and make sure staff are trained and competent for the work they do.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) enforces these duties and can request training records during an inspection or after an incident. An accredited Working at Heights Course with a dated certificate is a straightforward way to show you are meeting your obligations.
How the online course works
- Enrol online in a couple of minutes - one learner or a whole team.
- Learn at your own pace on any phone, tablet or computer. The Working at Heights Course takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
- Pass the short assessment at the end to confirm your understanding.
- Download your certificate the same day - CPD certified and ready for your records.
It really is that simple. No classroom, no waiting, and no disruption to your working week.
Frequently asked questions about working at heights training
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. As soon as you pass the assessment you can download a CPD-certified Working at Heights certificate, dated and ready for your training records. There is no waiting and nothing to post.
Who needs to take a Working at Heights Course?
It is intended for construction, maintenance, roofing, warehousing, window cleaning, telecoms and facilities staff who work above ground level. If the work involves these risks, the people doing it and those supervising them should be trained.
How long does the Working at Heights Course take?
The course takes about 60 to 90 minutes. You can pause and resume whenever you like, and finish a short assessment at the end before downloading your certificate.
Will this help me meet Irish health and safety law?
Yes. Completing an accredited Working at Heights Course is a clear, recorded way to show you are meeting your duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Work at Height) Regulations 2006 and the wider 2005 Act, which is exactly what the HSA looks for.
Is the Working at Heights Course done fully online?
Yes. The Working at Heights Course is delivered entirely online and is self-paced, so you can complete it on any device, at work or at home, with no need to attend a classroom.
Other safety courses you may need
Most Irish workplaces need more than one type of safety training. Alongside the Working at Heights Course, these accredited online courses are popular with employers like you:
- Fire Safety Course - for all employees, supervisors and managers in any Irish workplace
- Office Safety Course - for office staff, remote and hybrid workers, supervisors and managers
- PPE Course - for construction, manufacturing, healthcare, cleaning, laboratory and maintenance staff who rely on protective equipment
You can explore every course on the Online Safety Courses homepage and certify your team across multiple topics in one place.
Get certified today
Ready to get started? Enrol on the Working at Heights Course now, train at your own pace, and download your CPD-certified certificate the same day. It is the simplest step you can take towards a safer, fully compliant workplace.
