What type of PPE should be worn when assembling a mobile access tower?

The risk assessment determines the specific PPE required, but as a minimum, safety boots, a hard hat and gloves are typically needed during assembly to protect against falling components and manual handling injuries.

A high-visibility vest is the only item of PPE that is required for the tower assembly work

No PPE at all is needed, as the tower's guardrails provide all the protection required here

Ear defenders and safety glasses, to protect against the noise and the dust of the tower assembly work

As identified by the risk assessment — typically safety boots, hard hat and gloves as a minimum

Why must a rescue plan be in place before anyone works from a mobile access tower?

An injured or incapacitated operative at height cannot rescue themselves. A pre-planned rescue procedure ensures that help can be provided quickly and effectively. Delay in rescue, particularly with suspension trauma, can be fatal.

Because an operative who is injured or incapacitated at height cannot rescue themselves, and delay in rescue can be fatal

Because the employer's liability insurance will not pay out on a claim unless a rescue plan was in place beforehand

Because the tower manufacturer requires a rescue plan to be held on site in order to validate the warranty on tower components

Because the rescue plan doubles as the method statement for the assembly, the use and the dismantling of the tower on site

What is the three-point contact rule when climbing a mobile access tower?

The three-point contact rule requires the climber to have at least three limbs in contact with the ladder at all times — either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. This minimises the risk of losing grip and falling.

Keep three operatives on the tower during climbing, one at the base and two up on the working platform

Maintain contact with the ladder using two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, at all times

Check the tower at three points — the base, the mid-height and the top — before starting to climb up it

Climb no more than three rungs at a time, pausing to rest on each platform level on the way up the tower

Free mock exam

Safety — PASMA Towers for Users Practice

Free topic-focused mock exam: 30 random questions from a pool of 45 on Safety, drawn from the wider PASMA Towers for Users bank. 35-minute timer, 70% to pass, worked explanation on every question. Use this when you've taken the full mock once and want to drill the topics you got wrong.

Questions: 30
Time limit: 35 min
Pass mark: 70% · 21/30
Question bank: 45

Free, no sign-up. Retake as many times as you like — different questions each time.

Sample questions

01What type of PPE should be worn when assembling a mobile access tower?
- ANo PPE at all is needed, as the tower's guardrails provide all the protection required here
- BA high-visibility vest is the only item of PPE that is required for the tower assembly work
- CAs identified by the risk assessment — typically safety boots, hard hat and gloves as a minimum
- DEar defenders and safety glasses, to protect against the noise and the dust of the tower assembly work
Why: The risk assessment determines the specific PPE required, but as a minimum, safety boots, a hard hat and gloves are typically needed during assembly to protect against falling components and manual handling injuries.
02Why must a rescue plan be in place before anyone works from a mobile access tower?
- ABecause the employer's liability insurance will not pay out on a claim unless a rescue plan was in place beforehand
- BBecause the rescue plan doubles as the method statement for the assembly, the use and the dismantling of the tower on site
- CBecause the tower manufacturer requires a rescue plan to be held on site in order to validate the warranty on tower components
- DBecause an operative who is injured or incapacitated at height cannot rescue themselves, and delay in rescue can be fatal
Why: An injured or incapacitated operative at height cannot rescue themselves. A pre-planned rescue procedure ensures that help can be provided quickly and effectively. Delay in rescue, particularly with suspension trauma, can be fatal.
03What is the three-point contact rule when climbing a mobile access tower?
- AClimb no more than three rungs at a time, pausing to rest on each platform level on the way up the tower
- BMaintain contact with the ladder using two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, at all times
- CKeep three operatives on the tower during climbing, one at the base and two up on the working platform
- DCheck the tower at three points — the base, the mid-height and the top — before starting to climb up it
Why: The three-point contact rule requires the climber to have at least three limbs in contact with the ladder at all times — either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. This minimises the risk of losing grip and falling.

Common questions

Is the Safety mock exam free?

Yes — 100% free, no sign-up needed. Questions are pulled at random from a substantial bank, with a worked explanation on every question after you submit.

Can I retake the mock exam?

Yes. Every attempt picks a different random selection and reshuffles the options, so each retake gives you genuinely new questions. No limit on retakes.

Does this count towards the real qualification?

No — this is independent practice material. To gain the actual qualification you need to sit the official assessment through an approved provider.