If you or your business wants to branch out into the construction or maintenance of mobile towers, then you may have heard the term PASMA training mentioned. There’s a good reason for that. If your workforce wants to be recognised as a team that is fully qualified to work with these kinds of structures as well as showing to be capable of handling bigger jobs, these are qualifications are an absolute must.
While it can seem like there are hundreds of different construction qualifications out there, if you want to go anywhere near mobile access towers, these are the ones you’ll find the most beneficial.
As courses that won’t take weeks of your life and that can ultimately get you good business and financial returns in the long run, they are always worth looking into. So, what are the ultimate goals and benefits of these kinds of safety courses? Read on to find out more.
What are PASMA Training courses?
PASMA training or “Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association training” are the industry-recognised standard courses for the assembly, inspection and removal of mobile access towers. With most sessions only taking a day to complete but giving a qualification valid for five years, these courses are ultimately designed to provide the participant with a thorough working knowledge of these structures.
These courses enjoy a far-reaching reputation amongst management and health and safety experts, who seek objective proof of quality and competence for staff engaged in the construction and use of these towers.
Who are PASMA?
Originally founded in 1974, PASMA is the recognised authority on any work to do with mobile access towers.
Working with a number of other professional bodies and organisations, they’ve managed to fulfil many notable roles:
- Proving and overseeing the industry standard scheme for work involving mobile access towers
- Becoming a central source of information on all aspects of mobile access towers.
- Setting the high industry standards on the construction, maintenance and use of mobile access towers that is recognised internationally.
- Being a massive factor in the promotion of mobile access towers for temporary work at height.
Types of PASMA Courses
As a large and complicated mechanism, naturally there are many specialised courses for the different types of mobile access towers out there, as well as ones split up by the managerial level of those who will be working on them. While taking all of the available courses is not necessary to receive your certification card, it’s important to understand which ones would be beneficial to which members of your crew.
- PASMA Towers for Users Training: This is designed for anyone who is responsible for creating, altering, taking apart or just generally moving fibreglass or alloy mobile access towers in the workplace.
- PASMA Work at Height Essentials: This course is designed to cover the most important points for those working at great height. It provides crucial information about the use of mobile access towers, plus insights into the use of all forms of the access equipment.
- PASMA Towers for Riggers: Towers for Riggers is currently the most advanced tower training course. This course looks into the practical and theory work needed to create more complicated builds
- PASMA Towers for Managers Training: This is designed for those who are responsible for overseeing the work of operatives while on site and to ensure that mobile access towers used for working at great heights are organised. Also, that all those involved on the project are qualified and competent enough to complete the job to the highest standard.
- PASMA Towers on Stairs: Created for those who will be responsible for creating, altering, taking apart and/or working on mobile access towers on stairways, escalators and any kind of stepped level.
- PASMA Low Level Access: Aimed at those who are responsible for creating, altering, taking apart and/or working on and using equipment such as podiums, folding scaffolds and low-level access work platforms. (In this instance, low-level refers to anything under 2.5 metres).
- PASMA Towers with Cantilevers: This course is designed for those who will be creating, altering, taking apart and/or working on mobile access towers fitted with cantilever frames.
- PASMA Towers with Bridging Units Course: This course is designed for those are responsible for creating, altering, taking apart and/or working on mobile access towers with bridging units.
While some of the courses listed above don’t require any previous qualifications, a starting or working knowledge of a mobile access tower will be an advantage.
Always make sure to check the requirements for the specific training centre you will be visiting. Almost all of them will have a strict course agenda, and some will also require you to supply your own personal protective equipment in order to participate.
What are the Benefits?
Besides having another qualification under your belt and having a more competent workforce in general, the benefits of these courses cannot be stressed enough.
Slips and falls during these kinds of jobs are an all too common occurrence and can leave nasty and possibly life-threatening injuries. Part of these courses is dedicated to minimising the risk of such incidents so you can put your mind at ease.
This qualification is also the industry standard for such work, so once certified you can be confident that those who took the course now possess the knowledge to complete work involving mobile access towers to the highest standard possible.
Ultimately, if you want to branch out into the construction or maintenance of mobile access towers or would like a workforce that is more qualified and beneficial to you, then PASMA training should not be overlooked.
