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PASMA and HSE agree on safety of methods for erecting and dismantling
The lead industry body for the mobile access tower sector, PASMA, has published a review into recommended best practice for the avoidance of falls from height when using mobile access towers.
The review was carried out in collaboration with HSE and is said to ”bring clarity to the use of Through the Trap (3T) and Advance Guardrail (AGR) methods for assembling, altering and dismantling mobile access towers”.
The report concludes that when used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and guidance, both methods continue to provide an acceptable safe method of work.
The HSE foreword to the report states that:
“the principles regarding the use of both processes given in HSE guidance Tower scaffolds (CIS10) are still current. The AGR and 3T processes continue to provide recognised safe methods of work.
HSE welcomes publication of this Final Report. Contractors need to ensure that operatives have appropriate equipment, training and supervision to erect and dismantle mobile access towers safely.
Operatives are also responsible for playing their part.”
Retraining of PASMA cardholders not required
The PASMA training committee has concluded that current PASMA cardholders do not have to re-train until their card has expired at the end of the normal five year period. It decided that the content of the current PASMA training course is sufficient to provide an acceptable working knowledge of the AGR process.
The PASMA MD, Peter Bennett, said:
“This review process was commissioned by PASMA as a measured, impartial and prudent exercise five years after its first guidance was issued, and in response to representations from tower manufacturers in support of a new generation of integral AGRs.”
PASMA will now engage with duty holders to reassure them that, contrary to what they may have seen and read in the trade press, both 3T and AGR systems remain equally acceptable to the Association and HSE.”
The report contains a number of other observations and recommendations, particularly regarding the enhanced coverage of AGR in the practical element of PASMA training.