PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) is the nationally recognised body for mobile access towers safety and training. It offers a range of courses run by accredited training centres and instructors, aimed at anyone engaged in the assembly, use, inspection and dismantling of towers.
MRS Training & Rescue is an approved PASMA Training Centre and we are audited each year to ensure we continue to provide the standard of training required.
The PASMA organisation has many distinct roles, including advancing the safety of mobile access towers and governing industry standard training schemes, which meet the competency criteria of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
What does PASMA training cover?
The most popular and well known course is the PASMA Towers for Users course and it is this that MRS Training & Rescue offer.
This 1 day course is highly practical and includes 2 ½ hours of practical exercise so delegates know how to inspect, assemble and erect a mobile tower scaffold proficiently and safely. The training also includes legislation, regulations and guidance affecting working at height with mobile access towers, the PASMA code of practice and EN1004:2004 product standards. As well as best practice for fall protection, completion of tower inspection records and hazard awareness.
How long does a PASMA card last?
Once delegates have successfully passed the training course, a PASMA certificate and photo card are issued. These are widely recognised qualifications across many industries for those who work with mobile towers and are valid for 5 years.
What are the benefits of PASMA accreditation?
Many job roles in a variety of industries state the requirement for PASMA certification. The accreditation demonstrates that holders have completed training which provides them with the knowledge and practical skills to safely erect, dismantle and work with mobile towers.
Mobile towers are used in many environments to mitigate the use of ladders. The PASMA qualification is an excellent way to show potential employers you have the right level of competency to work safely on pre-fabricated mobile tower scaffold – a requirement for being compliant with safety regulations and laws.
How did MRS Training & Rescue become PASMA accredited?
To become a PASMA approved training member, we had to make sure our sites and instructors met the requirements set by the awarding body.
We have purpose-built mobile access tower training facilities at three of our UK training centres - Swadlincote, Southampton and Houghton-le-Spring. Each facility has been audited by PASMA to ensure they meet the accreditation criteria. In addition to this, our trainers have attended PASMA accredited training and mentor programmes to become PASMA approved instructors.
Becoming an approved training member was important to us as it means we are now able to provide delegates who attend our courses with a qualification which makes them eligible for roles across many industries and contributes to safer working environments.
Who should consider getting a PASMA certification card?
PASMA is an accreditation to seriously consider if you are already working with or want to work with mobile scaffold access towers.
An increasing number of workplaces and sites now use access towers instead of ladders. Ladders or steps account for around 40% of falls from height incidents in the UK. A mobile access tower provides more stability than a ladder and can be worked from for a longer period of time, making them more efficient.
Unlike ladders, mobile access tower scaffold features an enclosed area to work from – with guard rails and toe boards, which help to provide extra protection against persons falling from heights and falling equipment.
If you work in any industry or site which requires you to work at height, you should consider completing a course which will provide you with PASMA certification. The accreditation will show potential employers you are competent confident when erecting and dismantling mobile access towers. PASMA towers for user’s certification is also a valuable asset for managers – giving them skills and knowledge, so they are able to properly care for their workforce.
What PASMA courses can I complete?
Here at MRS Training & Rescue, we provide a PASMA Towers for Users training course. This 1-day practical course is designed for those looking to be trained in assembling, dismantling, moving and inspecting mobile access towers and associated PPE equipment.
Those who complete this course will learn about relevant health and safety and working at height regulations – and will be able to inspect, assemble, relocate, alter and dismantle mobile access towers using manufacturer’s instructions safely.
Successfully candidates will receive PASMA certification, which is valid for 5 years.
Furthermore, MRS Training & Rescue are an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) with CITB, allowing our customers to claim grants for completing training on our registered courses. This course attracts a CITB Short Course Duration Grant at Tier 2, with a value of £70.
If you would to like to learn more about our mobile access towers training course or any of our other courses and services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
