This course is suitable for any person required to erect, use, inspect or dismantle a portable access tower during the course of their work.

Training aids and requirements

Facilities will be provided for the practical element of the course. If held at the client’s site, a facility checklist will be provided and the training area will need to be inspected by an SSG representative.

It is essential that all delegates attending training are suitably equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to include head protection, protective footwear and high visibility outdoor clothing, as part of this course involves erecting a mobile tower. Delegates should also bring any other PPE they are required to wear as dictated by their employer.

Literacy, fitness and health requirements (extract from PASMA Code of Practice)

Since the safe use of mobile access towers requires that delegates consult safety notices and read, and thoroughly understand, the manufacturer’s instruction manual, literacy and language comprehension are important requirements for any tower use. Similarly, since the assembly and use of mobile access towers can be physically demanding, users should be physically fit and in good health and should, generally, not have problems with eyesight or hearing, heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, fear of heights / vertigo, giddiness / difficulty with balance, impaired limb function, alcohol or drug dependence or psychiatric illness.

If delegates have any problems with literacy or language comprehension or have any doubts regarding their fitness to use mobile towers, they must bring this to the attention of their employer. This need not preclude them from using mobile access towers provided their employer conducts an assessment and is able to put into place adequate measures to take account of any difficulties they may have.

The erection, use and dismantling of mobile access towers is potentially extremely dangerous if the correct safe working procedures are not followed. This course is aimed at improving knowledge and enhancing ability to use equipment safely.

SSG offer this course over one day as a classroom course.

• Introduction
• Aims and objectives
• Legal overview – health and safety
• British and European standards
• Guidance and information
• Tower components, inspection and maintenance
• Tower assembly and dismantling
• Tower stability
• Hazards
• Responsibilities

Course content has been updated to include Advanced Guard Rail (AGR) systems.

Delegates will be assessed during the practical training session on their abilities to interpret the manufacturer’s instructions and correctly erect and dismantle the tower.

On successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a competency certificate and an encapsulated PASMA photo card which can be used to demonstrate their skills and knowledge when onsite. Certificates are valid for five years.