PASMA Training Course OnlineMobile Tower Scaffolding Safety

PASMA stands for the Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association. It is the recognised UK trade association for the mobile access tower industry and the leading provider of tower scaffold training. PASMA training teaches operatives how to assemble, alter, inspect, and dismantle mobile aluminium towers safely and in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Electricians need PASMA certification because mobile towers are one of the most common forms of access used in electrical installation and maintenance work. Whether installing lighting, running cable trays, fitting distribution boards at height, or carrying out periodic inspection and testing in commercial premises, electricians frequently need a safe, stable working platform that provides hands-free access. On most construction sites and many commercial premises, only personnel holding a valid PASMA certificate are permitted to erect or alter mobile towers.

The 3T method — Through the Trap — is the PASMA-approved technique for safely ascending a mobile tower and adding platform levels during assembly. The method uses trapdoor platforms that allow the operative to climb through the platform from below, close the trapdoor behind them, and then stand on the platform to add the next level of frames and bracing. The key safety principle is that the operative is always working from within the protection of the guardrails — they never have to climb onto an unguarded platform or lean outside the tower structure to add components. The sequence is: climb the internal ladder to the trapdoor platform, open the trap, climb through, close the trap, stand on the platform, add guardrail frames at the next level, add bracing and toeboards, add the next trapdoor platform, and repeat. This method significantly reduces the risk of falling compared to older techniques where operatives climbed the outside of the tower.

The maximum safe working height for a mobile tower depends on whether it is used indoors or outdoors, and on its base dimensions. For standard towers used indoors (where wind loading is not a factor), the maximum height is typically 12 metres to the platform level. For towers used outdoors, the maximum height is reduced because of wind loading — typically 8 metres to the platform level for a standard single-width tower (0.7m x 1.8m base) and up to 10 metres for a double-width tower (1.35m x 1.8m base). These figures are general guidelines — the actual maximum height is specified by the manufacturer for each specific tower system and must never be exceeded. The base-to-height ratio is the critical factor: for indoor use, the ratio should not exceed 3.5:1 (height to minimum base dimension), and for outdoor use it should not exceed 3:1. Outriggers or stabilisers can be used to increase the effective base dimension and therefore allow greater heights.

Mobile towers must be inspected at several points: before first use after assembly; after any alteration that could affect stability or structural integrity; after any event likely to have affected stability (such as adverse weather, impact, or ground movement); and at regular intervals not exceeding 7 days if the tower remains erected. The inspection should check: all components are present and correctly assembled; frames, braces, and platforms are securely locked in position; the base is on firm, level ground with all castors locked; guardrails and toeboards are in place at the working platform level; outriggers or stabilisers are fitted where required; the tower is vertical and not leaning; no components are damaged, bent, or corroded; and the tower has not been overloaded beyond its rated capacity. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, inspection results must be recorded in writing and the records kept until the next inspection. A competent person (someone who has received appropriate training, such as PASMA) must carry out or supervise the inspection.

Mobile towers are particularly susceptible to wind loading because of their height-to-base ratio and lightweight construction. PASMA guidance states that towers should not be used when wind speeds exceed 17 mph (7.7 m/s) as a general rule for occupied towers. If wind speed is likely to reach gale force (39 mph / 17.5 m/s), the tower should be tied to a rigid structure or dismantled. During erection and dismantling, wind speeds should be below the limits specified by the manufacturer. The operative should be aware that wind speed increases with height — a wind speed that feels moderate at ground level may be significantly stronger at the top of a 10-metre tower. Wind speed can be measured using a handheld anemometer, which many electricians now carry as part of their standard kit. If in doubt, the tower should not be used and alternative access methods should be considered.

The PASMA Towers for Users course is a one-day programme, typically running for six to seven contact hours plus a written theory test. The day covers legislation, tower components, the 3T assembly method, safe use, inspection requirements, and environmental hazards. Candidates who pass the theory test receive their PASMA card, which is valid for five years. The PASMA Combined course (Towers for Users plus Low Level Access) runs over a slightly longer day or across two shorter sessions depending on the training provider. There is no minimum practical experience required before attending — the course is designed for operatives who are new to mobile towers as well as those seeking renewal of an expired card.

PASMA offers several training courses at different levels. The most common are: PASMA Towers for Users — a one-day course that teaches operatives how to assemble, use, inspect, and dismantle standard configuration mobile towers using the 3T (Through the Trap) method. This is the most widely required qualification and is sufficient for most electricians who use mobile towers on site. PASMA Combined (Towers for Users plus Low Level Access) — a course that adds training on the safe use of low-level access equipment such as podium steps, pulpits, and step-stools alongside the standard tower training. This is increasingly popular because much electrical work takes place at heights below 2 metres where a full tower is unnecessary. PASMA Towers for Managers — designed for site managers and supervisors who need to understand tower safety requirements but may not assemble towers themselves. Each course results in a PASMA card valid for five years.