The Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association or PASMA for short is a body that has been in existence since 1974. Its predominant work has been improving the safety for those working on scaffolds and towers in the construction and decorating industry. The importance of safety when working at height cannot be underestimated, ensuring all workers who use scaffolds have had PASMA training is a vital part of ensuring this safety. Currently a PASMA certificate is a vital element for all who work at height.



Since 2005 when the Work at Height regulations came into effect PASMA training has become even more important. The body have worked towards designing their training schedules around changes in legislation to ensure all regulatory compliance issues are settled effectively. By constantly adapting to changes, the association have secured their position at the forefront of health and safety matters pertaining to scaffold and access tower usage.

PASMA have worked closely with health and safety executives to devise codes of practise that ensure workers at height have efficient and effective protocols that work towards a safer environment. Training modules will normally broach the subjects of safe usage and ways to minimise the risks of falling. In addition, those who undergo training are made aware of the dangers that working at height can create. Because of the association's work, they are consulted when the government releases new pieces of legislation.

PASMA do not purely conduct training courses. Association members regularly audit and evaluate how safety procedures are being maintained whilst also looking into new developments in the world of scaffolding. This is one of the most important tasks carried out by PASMA, by having a presence in working areas they are able to pick up on any issues that could be incorporated into the codes of practise.

With so many industries using scaffolding and towers this element of the association's work is essential to maintaining safety. For instance, guidelines in one industry may not necessarily suit another; by having operatives on the ground who can pick up on these differences it is possible to create bespoke training modules suited to any particular industry. In addition, by having a network of affiliated members, PASMA is able to reach the widest audience possible to deliver its safety message.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 have meant that at all times it is essential that a competent person is on site to ensure procedures are being followed and unsafe working methods are being avoided. This competent person has always had extensive training and will be certificated by the association; this means that there is always a knowledgeable person who can give workers instruction to maintain safety. Fundamentally the competent person must be present at the times when scaffolding rigs are constructed, altered or dismantled. These times normally hold the greatest risk so understandably the legislation ensures that the tasks are carried out safely.

As liability is now a major concern of all site managers the situation created by the increased regulation has cleared up discrepancies with working methods. PASMA have helped in this process and today, as a site manager it is your duty to ensure all workers have had suitable training. Naturally accidents will always happen when working with scaffolds, thanks to the work of the association however the instances of injury of death should be kept to a minimum.