News Detail

We sat down with Don Aers to trace the journey that led him to becoming PASMA’s technical director and a key figure in shaping tower safety standards across Europe. Don’s entry into the access industry came unexpectedly. As a qualified mechanical engineer, he started his career in research and development, working on projects as diverse as magnetic recording systems and textile printing machinery. In the mid-1990s, he was offered a surprising opportunity: a position at PASMA manufacturing member SGB Youngman, a company he describes as specialising in scaffolding and ladders, which also made towers. “I had no knowledge of scaffolding or ladders whatsoever,” Don recalls. “I thought I’d be in the industry for a year or two… but here I am, nearly 30 years later.” At SGB Youngman, he was head of engineering and design, a role that eventually connected him with PASMA. The combined knowledge Don brought and accrued there made him the perfect candidate to represent the company in the manufacturer-led PASMA technical committee. Little did he know just how much this involvement would shape his career. “The work I did there showed me the huge importance of safety in the access industry,” he explains. In 2009, PASMA asked him to join the association as technical director, a role he’s now held for over 15 years.

Don’s influence has been pivotal in shaping industry safety standards. As PASMA’s technical director, he chairs several BSI committees, including those focused on temporary works equipment (e.g. towers), helping to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tower safety, even as regulations shift post-Brexit. His leadership extends to Europe, where he chairs the CEN – the European organisation responsible for standardisation – Technical Committee 53’s Working Group 4 on mobile towers, influencing safety standards on a continental scale. One of the most significant milestones for the industry was the introduction of EN 1004, the European standard for mobile towers. Don was convenor of the working group that revised this standard, as part of his role as PASMA’s technical director, leading efforts to make it more comprehensive. “Previously, the standard started from 2.5 metres, and I could never understand why, because towers start at ground level,” he explains. Now it does, and so does EN 1004-2, the revised standard for tower instruction manuals. In addition to EN 1004, he was a key figure in revising BS 1139-6, which covers non-standard towers. “When I first got involved with 1139-6, it was effectively some pictures of towers,” Don recalls. “It didn’t specify how strong the towers needed to be or any real safety requirements,”. Thanks to the work of BSI B514/24, the UK committee responsible, the standard was transformed, setting clear strength and safety criteria and bringing it in line with modern industry practices. Don’s role also involves managing the PASMA technical committee, where he managed the development of the compatibility protocol, which aims to regulate manufacturers’ claims that their components can be used or interchanged with those of another manufacturer. “It’s controversial,” he admits, “but the reality is that people are mixing components from different systems, and we need to make sure that’s done safely.” Beyond standards, Don advocates for innovation and forward-thinking in the industry. He frequently speaks to members about adapting to future advancements. “The industry is changing,” he asserts. “Materials are evolving, and so are the ways we work at height. We can’t pretend things will stay the same.” He’s even open to possibilities that might seem futuristic now: “Robotics is advancing at an amazing speed. Soon, a humanoid robot could identify tower components, check for wear and tear, and even assist with the assembly of complex BS 1139-6 structures, thanks to their versatility.” Reflecting on his time at PASMA, Don is most proud of the organisation’s mission to save lives. “What we do is life-saving work,” he says. “It sounds dramatic, but it’s true.”