PASMA covid-19 support hub

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Information for members​

The top priority for everyone here at PASMA is supporting our members through these unprecedented times. Below we have outlined some of the opportunities and support channels that are available to you so far.

Opportunities

Free member webinars

One day this difficult time will be behind us and normal life will resume. We’d like to help you put this downtime to good use, so that the moment it’s safe to do so, you’re ready to get straight back out there and spread the word on tower safety to more people than ever before.  What if we ran a series of webinars to inspire, educate, upskill and support you and your team – would you find that helpful? If so, what topics would be most useful? Share your feedback >>

Volunteer with PASMA

Are you safe and well, unable to do your job and temporarily have some spare time on your hands? We are recruiting temporary volunteers who can help us fast-track as many PASMA projects as we can during this time, so that when we eventually emerge into the bright light of opportunity, our members will be off to a flying start in getting their businesses back up and prospering. Complete our sign-up form to let us know you’d like to volunteer and we will contact you when there is a project that matches your skills.

Online training courses

You can now offer online PASMA training to your delegates. Book them onto a future training course and we’ll give them immediate online access to the theory session to complete at home. When they come to your centre, you can jump straight to the written assessment and then work through the practical, meaning you’ll only need half a day with them. We expect these courses will be particularly useful for:

Delegates whose PASMA qualification is about to expire

During the coronavirus outbreak, we can extend PASMA cards for up to 90 days. To qualify, delegates must book a place on a FUTURE training course and complete the theory section online in advance. Read more…

Employees who have been furloughed

UK government guidance states that ‘furloughed employees should be encouraged to undertake training.’ (source) For those outside the UK, being ‘furloughed’ refers to the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which allows employers to place staff on temporary leave (‘furlough’) and have a percentage of their pay covered by the government if it avoids them being made redundant due to coronavirus.

Support

Guidance for training centres and instructors

We’ve published guidance to help training centres resume PASMA training when they are satisfied they can do it safely and when government guidelines in their country permit it to happen.

Peer-to-peer support group

You can join a small, private LinkedIn group dedicated to discussing the challenges that arise while running or working in training centres during the coronavirus outbreak. Please use it to share problems and offer solutions.

Survey: How is coronavirus affecting your business?

We’re collecting testimonies on the impact COVID-19 is having on your business, so we can tailor our support to you. The questionnaire is ongoing, so please complete it regularly.

Phone calls

Over the coming weeks, our goal is to speak to every one of our members on the phone, to hear how you’re being affected by the current circumstances and find out what more we can do to help you. We’d also like your opinion on the support we’ve offered so far and what we’re planning next. UK members, please look out for our call – it will come from 0345 230 4041. International members, your local representatives will already have been in touch.

Service updates

  • •  The PASMA team are all now working from home, but you can still reach us on the usual phone number and email addresses
  • •  Deliveries of PASMA Cards and Certificates are being sent out weekly. Training centres will still receive a certificate number for each delegate, which allows them to see their card online
  • •  Deliveries of shop orders are being sent out weekly.
  • •  Our instructor training programme is on hold
  • •  Annual audits will be conducted remotely, or rescheduled if that is not possible. If you had an issue identified at your last audit, we’ve extended the length of time you have to resolve it.
  • •  If you need to, please talk to us about payment plans for any outstanding invoices – we’re here to help.

Information for tower users, their managers and those responsible for their health and safety

With COVID-19 rightly topping the health and safety agenda, height safety remains as crucial as ever. In this section you’ll find information to help you keep tower users safe from falls and coronavirus and to reassure you of the measures our training centres will be taking to protect them during courses.

Guidance


We have released guidance to help you keep tower users safe from falls and coronavirus in the workplace and reassure you of the measures our training centres will be taking to teach healthy habits and protect them during courses. Read the guidance…


FAQs

Can people get PASMA trained at the moment?

Most PASMA training, including our most popular Towers for Users course, involves a half-day theory session followed by a half-day practical session. Our network of approved training centres initially suspended practical sessions for non-essential training but are now starting to get back to work in some countries. We’ve asked that they only do this when they’re confident they can do it safely and when government guidelines in their own country allow it to happen. You may be interested in our guidelines for training centres

The theory session can be done online, at home, in our new Training Portal. So even if you can’t currently complete the full course and earn your PASMA card, you can still get a great head start. When you’re able to visit a training centre, you’ll be able to spend more time practising tower assembly with your instructor.

To book a course that includes an online theory session, contact your nearest training centre.

What happens if my PASMA card is about to expire?

During the coronavirus outbreak, we can extend PASMA cards for up to 90 days. To qualify, simply book a place on a future training course and complete the theory section online in advance. We will then extend the validity of your card until you’re able to complete the practical section. Read more…

I’ve been furloughed – can I do the online training?

Yes! The UK government has confirmed that ‘furloughed employees should be encouraged to undertake training’ (source). So, you can do the online theory section of a PASMA course from home – in fact, it’s an ideal time to get it done.

For those outside the UK, being ‘furloughed’ refers to the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which allows employers to place staff on temporary leave if it avoids them being made redundant.

I’m waiting on my PASMA card arriving – where is it?

We suspended deliveries of PASMA cards and certificates on 24th March but as of 26th May, have now posted all outstanding orders. However, please note that we send your card to the training centre who then pass it onto you. For the time being, we’ll be issuing cards weekly. In the meantime, you can view any PASMA card online as long as you know the certificate number. If you don’t know your certificate number, fill in our lost card form (even if it isn’t actually lost) and we’ll tell you.

Can I still order items from your online shop?

We suspended deliveries of shop orders on 24th March but have now resumed and have posted all outstanding orders (as of 26th May). You can continue to order posters, stickers, inspection records and copies of our code of practice and we’ll be sending them out weekly for the time being. If you have an urgent requirement in the meantime, we’ll always see what we can do.

Can I still contact PASMA for advice or information?

Of course, we’re more than happy to answer your tower-related questions. As always, please have a look at our website first because you’ll often find the answer there. As our team are all working from home at the moment, it’ll help us serve you better if you email info@pasma.co.uk instead of phoning.

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