If you've booked a PASMA Towers for Users course, it's important to understand the equipment you'll need. This guide will help you to understand what you need for the course to take place and ensure that the equipment meets the required safety standards.

3T and AGR Towers

To successfully complete a PASMA Towers for Users course, you will need to have access to two different designs of mobile scaffold towers. Each tower must incorporate the 3T (Through the Trap) and AGR (Advance Guardrail) systems, recommended by PASMA and the Health and Safety Executive.

3T (Through the Trap) requires the user to position themselves through the trapdoor to install the guardrails above.

The AGR allows users to install guardrails from the safety of the platform below, using pre-fitted frames that provide guardrail protection.

Both systems prevent users from standing on an unprotected platform.

If you’re still unsure of what towers you need, our Customer Relationship Manager explains in the video below.

Buying and Hiring Safe Towers

If you’re PASMA course is approaching, you may decide that you need to purchase or hire the required equipment. PASMA recommend that you consider these six areas to help you decide whether you’re getting a safe product for the task at hand…

Brand

It is recommended that you choose towers that have been manufactured by PASMA members. As part of their membership, companies must ensure that their towers meet the most up-to-date standards and are independently certified by a recognised and accredited certification organisation. Choosing the right brand will ensure that your safety is prioritised above all else.

Configuration

Planning any work at height will require you to select the most suitable equipment for the job. Learn more in PASMA’s ultimate guide to towers.

Capabilities

Before selecting a mobile tower, check that its capabilities meet your requirements. These details can be found on the tower itself, in the instruction manual, or on the supplier’s website. Consider the safe working load (SWL) which is the total weight of people, tools, and materials it can safely support. This is sometimes referred to as universally distributed load (UDL) or maximum distributed load (MDL). In addition, you should confirm whether the maximum platform height suits your work area; towers built to EN 1004-1 standards can reach 8 metres outdoors or 12 metres indoors. Finally, choose the right width and length - single or double platform towers typically range from 1.5 to 3 metres in length.

Certification

Make sure your mobile scaffold tower meets the correct product standard and has been independently tested and certified by a recognised body.

Training

Even a certified tower is only safe if it’s assembled, inspected, used and dismantled by competent workers. Anyone working with a mobile access tower should have successfully completed a PASMA Towers for Users course. We can deliver PASMA Training either at your site or at one of our training centres. You can also book onto one of our upcoming open courses.

Instruction Manual

Even if the person building the tower is trained, they must always have and follow the manufacturer’s or hire company’s instruction manual. Manuals are essential for all PASMA courses ensuring the tower is assembled safely and correctly, protecting all workers.

TowerSure App

At the beginning of the year, the TowerSure app was made a mandatory part of all PASMA courses.

TowerSure was designed to make tower inspections more consistent and thorough with built-in PASMA checklists.

Throughout all PASMA courses, instructors will teach delegates how to use the app during both theory and practical sessions.

We highly recommend that you download the app prior to attending your course.

For more information about our PASMA courses, please contact a member of our team today.