FORMED in 1974, the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association, better known by the acronym PASMA, is Europe’s leading trade association serving the fast-growing mobile access tower industry. Committed to the promotion of safety, best practice and the raising of industry standards, its influence continues to expand as it successfully manages the challenge of continuous change.
At a time when more and more owners and operators are coming to recognise the practical contribution that towers can make to both productivity and safety - not just in construction but also in facilities management and routine maintenance generally - PASMA is helping to shape the future of the industry through the expert and dedicated involvement of its member organisations. People who know and understand mobile access towers and speak the language.
Training, operational safety and technical developments are just some of the key areas in which the work of the Association is on-going. In this way, PASMA, an active member of the Access Industry Forum, is ensuring that industry standards rise in line with growing demands and mounting legislation. In an industry making major advances, the Association is ensuring that progress is underpinned by knowledge and competence.
Nowhere is this change more evident than in the HSE’s Work at Height Regulations that came into force on 6 April 2005.
These regulations impact on everyone involved with towers and PASMA, in co-operation with the HSE, has approved only two methods of assembling and dismantling mobile access towers. These are fundamentally different from previous methods and, according to PASMA and the HSE, everyone needs to know about, understand and implement these two methods now.
The two methods take account of all the fall prevention requirements embodied in the new regulations.
3T: Through the Trap
This method entails the operative working partially through the open trap of a trap platform to position guardrails at appropriate distances above the platform before standing on the platform to continue the assembly process.
Dismantling entails the unlocking of guardrails at the end furthest away from the trap, then partially climbing through the trap before completing the removal of the guardrails and descending to the next level to continue the dismantling process.
Advance Guardrail
The advance guardrail method involves the use of advance guardrail units that are positioned ahead of the platform so that when the operative gains access to the platform the advance guardrail is already in position. The operative then installs permanent guardrails and the advance unit is repositioned ahead of the next platform.
Dismantling entails the positioning of the advance guardrail units to allow the operative to remove the permanent guardrails, then descending to the next level and repositioning the advance guardrail unit at that level to allow the process to be repeated until dismantling is complete.
PASMA Training
The new regulations are an integral part of the PASMA training scheme. This industry standard scheme, now completely updated to include the requirements of WAHR [2005], BS EN 1004:2004, ACWAHT basic syllabus, and the anticipated requirements of BS 8454:2006 Code of Practice for Work at Height Training, incorporates new graphics and course paperwork.
Available nationally, and only through PASMA approved and audited training centres, the course is designed to enable tower users to correctly assemble, use, move, inspect and dismantle those towers manufactured by full Association members. Successful candidates, who must pass both a written and practical test, receive a PASMA certificate of competence and a credit card sized ID card with photograph.
Increasingly, where mobile access towers are concerned, the PASMA certificate of competence is specified by name in health and safety handbooks as proof of competence. For many in the industry, because of its reputation and nationally applied standards, no other proof will do. This is particularly true in the light of the Work at Height Regulations. Thousands of operatives are trained each year.
PASMA’s instructors are trained at the PASMA National Instructors’ Training College at Annersley, Nottinghamshire. The College represents a major step forward in the provision of specialist training in this important sector of the access industry.
Advanced Training Modules
Whilst mobile access towers are frequently used as just straightforward towers, there are a host of ancillary components that can be used to transform them into entirely different and versatile access solutions. Which is why PASMA now offers advanced training modules that cover roof scaffolds; cantilever access towers; aluminium bridging units; linked units and staging bridges; plus towers with walk-through frames. There is also a supervisors’ and managers’ inspection course.
New for 2006 and developed in partnership with the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) is a low level access course – a stand alone, half-day module available from PASMA Training Centres for users of low level prefabricated access equipment. The course incorporates theory and practical sessions and assessments.
Also developed in conjunction with the ECA is a work at height course designed to highlight the issues involved in working at height and the need to select ‘appropriate’ equipment for the task involved.
PASMA Safety-Related Products
PASMA produces and publishes a variety of safety-related products intended to encourage best practice on site.
Regarded by many as the ‘bible’ of the industry, PASMA’s Operators’ Code of Practice contains a wealth of practical information. The latest revision to this constantly updated work is in an entirely new format and incorporates the most recent changes in regulation and guidance.
In addition to its function as a stand-alone reference document, the booklet is also intended to supplement PASMA approved training courses by serving as a ready reminder of the best practice learnt during PASMA training and any subsequent work experience.
In co-operation with the HSE, the Association has also produced a DVD demonstrating the 3T (Through the Trap) and Advance Guardrail Methods, explaining the rationale behind the need for a step-by-step approach that can be applied to all types of tower scaffolds. Called Don’t Fall For It! it contains advice on best practice for assembling, dismantling and altering towers.
Based on the successful video, the Guide to the Safe Use of Mobile Access Towers, is also now available on DVD. Like the Code of Practice and Don’t Fall For It! DVD, it has been revised to incorporate the requirements of the Work at Height Regulations.
One of the most popular PASMA safety aids is the PocketCard. Designed as a handy, practical guide for use on site, the encapsulated card measures 140mm x 90mm and provides an illustrated checklist of do’s and don’ts that is quick and easy to use.
Finally, by using PASMA’s new inspection record designed specifically for use with mobile access towers, the Association has agreed with the HSE that this constitutes compliance with the inspection and record keeping requirements of the Work at Height Regulations.
More safety-related products are planned for launch in 2007, including a series of PASMA posters.
Membership
Representing 
manufacturers, suppliers and training providers, the work of the Association is wide and varied and includes liaison with regulatory bodies and active involvement in the development of industry standards.
‘Company Members’ are organisations in the categories of manufacturer, hirer/dealer and training. ‘Approved Training Centres’ are full PASMA members authorised to deliver the Association’s nationally recognised training courses. Finally, ‘Subscribing Members’ are health and safety professionals and others wanting to be kept up-to-date with the latest developments and issues relating to towers.
Ambassador Scheme
The Association is committed to a nationwide communications strategy designed to highlight the latest trends and developments and, of course, the two ‘approved’ methods for assembling and dismantling mobile access towers. A major component of this strategy is the PASMA Ambassador Scheme – senior PASMA members available to give WAHR/safety-based presentations to other trade and professional bodies.
Both PASMA and the HSE recognise the need for an effective dialogue with users on how towers should be assembled and dismantled with fall prevention measures throughout. Everyone, in every industry sector, needs to get up to speed quickly on the practical implications of WAHR.
With this in mind the Association is also sponsoring a number of initiatives at Leeds College of Building, the only FE college specialising in building and construction. These include an annual safety award, visiting PASMA lecturers and displays of the latest tower types.
PASMA Website
Finally, the PASMA website www.pasma.co.uk provides comprehensive information on all aspects of mobile access towers and is an invaluable source of facts and knowledge, including details of all PASMA members and training centres. The Association can also be contacted on tel: 0845 230 4041; fax: 0845 230 4042 or by email at info@pasma.co.uk
Diary dates for 2007: The Access Industry Forum’s ‘Access Live Area’ at the Safety & Health Expo 2007, NEC, Birmingham, 22 – 24 May, and the AIF sponsored Access Conference on 23 May during the same event.
