PASMA, the trade association representing the international mobile access tower industry, has confirmed that Tower Safety Week 2016 – which ran from 14-18 November – was the most successful and best supported event yet. This year’s campaign took as its theme Working well with towers.
The aim of the annual initiative is to improve height safety, develop industry knowledge and skills, and connect with a wide range of tower using industries – from construction and maintenance to facilities management and retail.
Throughout Tower Safety Week – now in its fifth year – tower users everywhere were asked to show their support for tower safety. PASMA members, their customers and industry at large also celebrated the versatility of towers and their increasing use in a wide range of different and challenging applications.
Comments PASMA’s Chair of Training Committee, John McNeilly: “Tower Week is dedicated to keeping people safe when working at height. It turns the spotlight on towers and provides a unique opportunity to inform and educate both existing and potential users.”
Tower Week was supported by Hire Association Europe (HAE) who commented: “Training and skills is an essential message being communicated to all through this excellent campaign which promotes safe access when working at height. PASMA put in a tremendous effort to keep people safe.”
Resources for 2016 included new infographics and the return of old favourites such as the High Tower Challenge and the See a tower, take a selfie! competition, aptly re-named Tower selfie GO! for 2016. Also new this year were CPD Instructor Open Days.
Infographics and resource
Specifically produced for PASMA Tower Safety Week, a set of infographics were used to explain and highlight the two approved methods for assembling and dismantling towers – ‘through the trap’ (3T) and ‘advanced guardrail’ (AGR) – the importance of tower training, and the need to properly inspect and record the condition of a mobile access tower in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations.
Click here to view and download
High Tower Challenge
Hire & Assembly and Hirer/Dealer Partners turned in their total combined height reached through towers built by them or others using their equipment. Did they get higher than last year?
Tower Selfie GO! competition
Who doesn’t love a selfie? PASMA members and the public at large were put to the challenge to get the best selfies – armed with foam hands – with hopes of winning one of many prizes.
Click here to see the submissions and winners
CPD Instructor Open Days
These were arranged across the country to augment and update the skills and competence of PASMA instructors. Held at the premises of PASMA manufacturing members, they were designed to keep instructors abreast of the latest developments in tower technology, design and safety. Amongst those taking part were Aluminium Scaffold Towers, Euro Towers, Instant Upright, Lyte Towers and Ladders, Pop Up Products, Turner Access, UTS Sales & Repairs and Youngman/WernerCo.
Significantly, PASMA Tower Week culminated, not in the UK, but in Dubai where the association sponsored the first ever one-day Middle East conference dedicated entirely to the safe and productive use of mobile access towers. Attended by more than 120 delegates, the event included presentations, panel discussions and practical demonstrations.
