News Detail

25/01/2024 - Six delegates from four hire and assembly members took part in PASMA's new Access Tower Specialist course, led by experienced lead instructor and current chair of PASMA's training committee Gillian Rutter (Hire Access & Skyward Access). Run by PASMA between 23 November and 1 December 2023, it marked the first chance members (and non-members!) had to attend the full course – easily our most challenging yet. The course was conducted over six day-long sessions, with the first one being online and covering theory. The five in-person days saw delegates from members ET Hire, Ridgeway Plant Co, Hire Access and JPS Group build and dismantle non standard structures using Alto HD and Euro Towers equipment at the Test & Research Centre in Soham, England.

PASMA's Access Tower Specialist course

Delegates who complete PASMA's access tower specialist training are qualified to safely lead a non standard configuration tower scaffold build from start to finish. Non standard configuration tower scaffold builds are designed for specific sites, however tall, wide or awkward they may be. Over the course's five practical days, candidates are trained in:

1. Tying in structures;
2. Non standard linked tower scaffolds;
3. Non standard combination builds, including:
   1. Large deck structures;
   2. End cantilevers;
   3. Side cantilevers;
   4. Bridge towers;
   5. Stepped towers;
4. Buttress tower scaffolds (over 12m indoors).

While standard towers allow operatives to work at heights of up to 8m outdoors and 12m indoors, these restrictions don’t apply to access tower specialists. With clever engineering and prefabricated aluminium components, specialists safely build structures that can reach the top of a building, featuring platforms at every level and spanning the whole façade. They can create large deck areas or squeeze into tight spaces, set towers up on stairwells and add advanced features to structures, like cantilever frames over obstacles, bridges to span doorways, or beams for working above swimming pools. These are also adaptable and can be mobile. In short, non standard configuration access towers are as flexible as clients need them to be.

Requirements

To apply for becoming an access tower specialist, candidates must already hold current user qualifications in the following PASMA tower courses:

• Towers for Users
• Towers with Bridges
• Linked Towers
• Towers on Stairways
• Cantilever Towers
• Large Deck Towers

After completing the Access Tower Specialist course, delegates obtain and hold a special PASMA card that features a CSCS logo, allowing construction clients, employers and contractors to verify their access tower specialist qualifications and training. They also leave with an in-depth understanding of the most relevant product standards and work at height legislation/regulations, as well as technical knowledge of design constraints, loading criteria, enabling components, component lifting techniques, tying in, design drawings, hazard identification, and safe assembly techniques. Book your place at the next course today!