The very specific PASMA Code of Practice is now the definitive reference document for access towers for users, safety professionals, supervisors, and managers as well as those in compliance careers. Though it had been first introduced in the 1980s, PASMA was careful to update its Code of Practice when the Work at Height regulations came out in 2005. Part of the reason for updating was also to include fiberglass and aluminum towers as well as the existing alloy access towers. Thus, those in compliance careers and compliance employment often refer to the PASMA Code of Practice when dealing with those who use these access towers.
The PASMA Standard Training Scheme was formalized in the late 1990s, and that is when an Audit Regime became established. This ensured that PASMA training was held at a uniformly high level no matter where the course was taken.
As those in compliance careers are fully aware, as part of the PASMA training scheme the association is responsible for publication of their Operator's Code of Practice and also for reviewing and updating it regularly. It is considered an indispensable guide covering such subjects as maintenance, care, inspection, safe operation, stability, and erection as well as dismantling of any and all Mobile Access Towers.
As anyone involved in construction is well aware, PASMA has helped over 24,000 users in 2005 alone to properly develop their operational and safety performance. There is now veritable plethora of PASMA Registered Training Centers, and those in compliance jobs understand that this authorized program cannot be availed through other sources.
It is now required, via the Work at Height Regulation 2005, that alterations, dismantling, or assembly of Mobile Access Towers can only be undertaken either by a competent person, or under the direct supervision of said competent person. This alone has greatly reduced potential hazards found on a job site. The competent persons are also held responsible for the greatly important practices such as rescues, fall protection, and the procedures to be followed for inspection, maintenance, and storage of the Mobile Access Towers.
One of the more interesting subjects covered are cantilevered access towers. The instruction covers such things as ceiling supported, ground supported, or counterweighted cantilevers. Those in compliance jobs are often responsible to make sure that the named competent person has accessed this type of instruction. The competent person is highly trained to be more aware of any of the potential hazards as well as risks encountered on the job site.
Those in the construction industry, as well as those in compliance employment, are constantly thankful to the Association for providing much safer procedures in the field of construction. There seem to be less construction accidents daily, and the UK looks forward to construction accidents to go lower still, thanks to the diligent efforts of the PASMA.
