Do you own a tower or are you about to use one? Or maybe you’re buying or hiring a new tower? Find it in our tower guide and read more about the training you’ll need, the standard it should be certified to (with third party verification), and all the paperwork you’ll need to hand. This is must-read information for anyone who buys, hires, owns or uses towers or low level access equipment, or is responsible for safety in the workplace.
Straightforward but versatile piece of access equipment that can be assembled and dismantled quickly and easily, with a built-in means of access and collective fall prevention in place throughout. It can only be a freestanding, single bay structure with four legs and wheels. It has only one working platform at a time and can reach a working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors. Generally made of aluminium or GRP (fibreglass), the mobile access tower is a familiar sight in workplaces across the world.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
The key feature differentiating these towers from an EN 1004-1 mobile access tower is that it is not mobile because it has baseplates, not wheels.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
The key feature differentiating these towers from an EN 1004-1 mobile access tower or a freestanding BS 1139-6 tower is that it is tied into a supporting structure, and is not mobile or freestanding.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Can be used on a stairway, a spot where access is often tricky, but also in other places where the ends of the tower will be at different heights. Often used for painting and decorating, maintenance and repair and overhead installations. Also known as towers on stairways, stairway access towers and towers on stairs. Can reach a freestanding working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Have a platform projecting from the side or end, so it’s used for overcoming obstacles like stairwells, window apertures, riser shafts or porches. Can reach a freestanding working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Two or more towers with a bridge between them, which creates a long, uninterrupted platform area with a clear space below. Useful for a whole host of tasks, such as aircraft maintenance, where you’re working above any type of obstruction or need to leave an access route for vehicles or pedestrians. Can reach a freestanding working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Two or more towers joined together that can provide long, uninterrupted platforms at more than one level. Most often used to span the facade of buildings, so work such as painting, plastering or replacing windows can take place. Sometimes called facade towers. Can reach a freestanding working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
An arrangement of towers and platforms that have been joined together both at their sides and ends to create a spacious working area. Useful for those who need to access a whole ceiling, for example for painting or electrical work. They can be mobile if needed. Can reach a freestanding working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Towers outside of the height limits of EN 1004-1. Can be freestanding up to 16m indoors or tied up to 20m (indoors or outdoors). Always on baseplates. No more than 3 loaded levels.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Access Tower Specialist training
Tower certified to BS 1139-6
The current instruction manual
To display information at base of tower
To produce a risk assessment and method statement
Towers built specifically to gain access to another place e.g. a flat roof. Must be tied in, built on baseplates and aligned with the step-off point. Can reach a working height of 12m indoors and 8m outdoors.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Access Tower Specialist training
Tower certified to BS 1139-6
The current instruction manual
To display information at base of tower
To produce a risk assessment and method statement
Towers with special frames to allow access through the base of the tower. May be used on footways. Used most often on towers with bridges or linked towers.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Linked Towers for Users or Towers with Bridges for Users training (or, if you’re using a single bay tower and the instruction manual permits a high clearance frame to be used, you can do this with Towers for Users training)
Tower certified to BS 1139-6
The current instruction manual
To display information at base of tower
To produce a risk assessment and method statement
A bespoke structure designed to fit around the needs of a site – however tall, wide or awkward it may be. Should only be assembled and dismantled by a qualified Access Tower Specialist.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Access Tower Specialist training (or book a PASMA Hire & Assembly member)
Verification report and design certificate
Assembly, use and dismantling plan
To display information on safe use at base of tower
To produce a risk assessment and method statement
Often called podiums, pulpits, room scaffolds or podium steps. Provide a stable platform for one person carrying out tasks at heights of under 2.5 metres. Lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, fold away for easy storage or transportation, and have collective fall prevention built in.
To use this tower safely, you’ll need:
Low Level Access training
Equipment certified to BS 8620
The current instruction manual
A risk assessment and method statement
Using towers on site? Download these handy reference guides to quickly check what training courses, standards and documentation are needed for the most common tower configurations and low level work platforms.
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