Before you can operate a mobile tower, government regulations require that someone be on hand who has gained competent person status. To do this is relatively straightforward and can be achieved with a simple PASMA Training Course.
PASMA Training can be done in many ways with many different providers. However they all lead to the same thing. After completing the course you will be granted competent person status and be given certification to prove it.
Each course should provide a decent introduction to the use and operation of mobile towers. They should cover the following: legislation; standards surrounding towers, safe tower assembly, stability, hazards, inspection, repositioning the tower and maintenance. Typically most courses should cater to only about ten or 12 delegates to ensure effective tuition. As part of the course, each delegate should be required to assemble and dismantle both a fibreglass and metal tower which will then have to pass inspection. The final stage is for a written exam, which will lead to them achieving competent person status.
Completion of this scheme will mean that there is at least one person on site at any one time who can be regarded as a competent person. He has to be given total overall responsibility for the construction and maintenance of the tower throughout the course of its life.
Choice of training provider is as important in this regard as in any other part of life. There are all sorts of different providers offering all sorts of different levels of service; some better than others. However, in this regard you do at least have a reliable indication of quality. Your chosen provider should be able to meet certain requirements themselves which are closely monitored by the government. They should have been given the status of approved PASMA Training provider. If this is the case the company will no doubt display this prominently on its website.
Seeing this provides a level of assurance that the training provided by the company will be of sufficient standard and, more importantly, the final certificate will be officially recognised for official purposes. Failure to register with an authorised PASMA Training provider will put you in contravention of official legislation, a position that no firm would willingly put itself in.
The government now places a greater emphasis on health and safety than ever before, especially for any company involved in construction. The penalties for ignoring basic safety legislation can be severe. Check the government websites for updates on any changes to official requirements.
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