PASMA is the Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association, it sets out to promote the safe use and construction of alloy framed access towers. It has been in existence since the mid seventies and since that time has developed training programs for its members. Due to this long running heritage a PASMA certificate has become the industry standard in the access tower business.



The PASMA code of practice has become the authority on all safety and training issues concerned with access towers. Since the 2005 Work at Height Regulations came into force PASMA has updated its training to incorporate all the according principles. As well as performing training, PASMA have strived to regulate the industry through extensive auditing activities. Through this scheme the uniform performance of access tower construction has been created countrywide.

The use of access towers spans many industries and the work of PASMA has created safe working practices in all of them. From the aeronautical industry to pharmaceuticals, training programs have ensured guidelines and regulations are followed and users are fully aware of the risks and how to minimise any potential problems. The association is fundamentally made up those who manufacture mobile access towers as they have a vested interest in training users to perform tasks safely.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 has meant that PASMA have pursued an officially legislated safety and training standpoint. The regulations state that any assembly, dismantling or alterations to mobile access towers must be carried out by a competent person. It is through efficient PASMA training that enough competent persons are available to perform tasks in the industry.

A competent person can be defined as someone who can show a level of professional competency that ensures safety; providing proof of sufficient training is also a prerequisite of competency. Training ensures that hazards and risks can be recognised in good time ensuring those operating on or around a mobile access tower are kept safe at all times. A competent person should also be able to identify any problems with the way users are working and also any malfunctions with the machinery.

This PASMA qualified person should also be present during the use of a mobile access tower to ensure legal requirements are met at all times. Also the principles of fall protection should be understood to their full extent with recognition of safety procedures and working methods. Added to this a competent person should also be aware of what procedures to follow in the event of an emergency and how all equipment should be packaged and stored.

While the courses regulated by PASMA cover all manner of safety training aspects, they come in five distinct areas. The standard course covers all we have just discussed such as the assembly, movement and dismantling of towers as well as the stability issues that relate to these.

Advanced training courses include a specific look at the erection of roof towers and chimney scaffolds, the use of cantilever access towers and bridging units and the units with footways and stair access. These courses are designed to create competent persons for all manner of scaffolding tasks.

Since the Work at Height Regulations 2005, PASMA training courses have become vital for anyone wishing to use mobile access scaffolding safely and legally. With so much liability being argued, if a fall is to happen this is an unsurprising response to a critical situation.

If a competent person is always available to ensure scaffolding is used safely and efficiently falls and injuries should be kept to a minimum for those who work at height. Ensuring the safety of these workers is of prime importance, hence supervision by a competent person is a vital constituent of using mobile access towers.