PASMA and IPAF - A Guide to Working at Height Safety

Overview

Working at height is something that commonly happens on work sites and premises across the country on a daily basis, yet it is a hazardous way of working.

The latest report from the Health and Safety Executive notes that 28% of workplace fatalities are a result of falling from a height. It is 10% higher than the next categories of fatal accidents - being hit by a moving vehicle.

Training employees to work safely at heights is essential, for their own well-being and for your business. But how you and your employees work at height will vary.

You may use static platforms, such as scaffold towers. You may use motorised or powered elevating platforms. Whichever you use - you may use both - operators need to be trained in how to use them proficiently and safely.

This is where IPAF and PASMA come in. Both provide high-quality training courses, delivered by a network of training providers across the country, to a set syllabus and assessment process.

The certification on successful completion comes in the shape of the IPAF Card (or IPAF PAL Card to give it its full name) and the PASMA Card (or full name PASMA Training Photo Card).

But how do you know which course is the right one? Who do you turn to, IPAF or PASMA training courses?

This guide looks at both IPAF and PASMA training courses, both important components of meeting your health and safety commitments and working at height regulations.

With different courses available, we take a look at what these courses will bring to you, your career and to the organisation as a whole.


What is PASMA?

PASMA - Prefabricated Access Suppliers Manufacturers Association - are courses that cover the safe use, building and dismantling of mobile access towers. As each type of equipment is different, they each require training.


What is IPAF?

IPAF - International Powered Access Federation - are courses that are designed to cover the safe use of powered access at height, such as scissor platforms.


Getting the right course is essential, something that this guide is all about.

The Benefits of PASMA & IPAF Training

PASMA and IPAF training courses are incredibly popular with people from all sectors and industries attending one or more of the courses each year. With over 60,000 delegates attending PASMA training courses and 100,000+ worldwide completing IPAF courses each year, you can understand that these courses have significant value for a company;

  • SAFETY - These courses focus on the safety of working at height, an important factor for many companies and organisations. It makes for sobering reading but the 2017 HSE report is clear: the largest category of fatalities at work are as the result of a fall from a height. These deaths, with training and correct use of equipment, could have, in all possibility, been avoided. With IPAF and PASMA training, you are showing a commitment to the safety of employees business-wide. For you, as an individual, it shows that you have the ability and skills to operate safely at height, spotting and dealing with hazards as much as the safe use of powered and non-powered platforms.

  • BUILDS A DIVERSE WORKFORCE - for any company, having skilled people is essential to the smooth running and growth of their business. No matter what sector or industry you work in, you want to be able to not only keep up with your competitors but stay one step ahead. By having your own skilled pool of people, you are not relying on other companies to create a safe workforce.

  • OFFER MORE - as a business, diversification is key in developing your business. With PASMA and/or IPAF trained operatives on site, you could become the go-to business to complete certain types of contracts or work. With these recognised qualifications on boards, your business can not only offer more but offer it with assured quality.

  • CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - to hold onto people, you must invest in them. And that means looking to continually develop their training and qualifications. For you and for your business, PASMA and IPAF training can be an important step up in creating a workforce that is even more skilled and professional.

  • REPUTATION - for your business reputation, the more you do to ensure the safety of your people, contractors and the public, the better. But when it comes to upskilling your workforce, you want to know that you are getting value for money too. Much of that comes not just from the quality of the course, the tutoring provided and course materials, but from the value that the qualification has. With IPAF and PASMA, you have no such worries. They are accepted and valued qualifications.

PASMA

Founded in 1974, PASMA quickly became the recognised authority on mobile access towers and how to use them safely. Its underpinning focus is clear: it knows about mobile towers and it cares about the people who use them.

They advance safety and standards, pulling out best practice so that its members from across the UK, South Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East can benefit.

Its training courses are aimed at all sectors and all operatives, from those new to the world of mobile access towers to those who have over-arching responsibility for their safety. It collaborates with a number of other trade and professional bodies, as well as stakeholders and industry regulators.

PASMA training focuses on mobile access towers or mobile scaffold towers. These towers are non-powered which means that they are moved around by using wheels at their base.

There are many different ways in which these structures can be built, depending on what kind of platform is needed to complete the task at hand. Podium towers, stairways access towers and scaffold towers are just a few examples.

The Working at Height regulations are clear that mobile access tower must be assembled by or under the supervision of an appropriately trained personnel. If you want to assemble your own towers, you will need to ensure you have PASMA trained people to do so so that you confirm to PASMA regulations.

But for companies who won't be assembling the towers themselves, if your employees will still be using these non-powered towers, they will also need PASMA training with a different course.


PASMA Courses

There are eight PASMA courses currently available:

  1. Towers for Users
  2. Towers for Managers
  3. Towers for Riggers
  4. Towers on Stairs
  5. Towers with Cantilevers
  6. Low-Level Access
  7. Combined Towers & Low Level
  8. Work at Height Essentials

PASMA Towers for Users

This is by far the most popular PASMA course available.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for anyone who builds and dismantles, moves or inspects mobile access towers. The Working at Height regulations 2005 is clear that anyone with such a role needs appropriate training and certification. Course participants must be aged 16 or over.

Course structure

The course is usually held over 1 full day. The training sessions are broadly split in two: the morning is given over to the theory of mobile access towers and their safe use. This session ends with a written test.

The afternoon is a practical based session where you will get hands-on experience of building and dismantling a mobile access tower.

Other information

As there is a practical element to this course, you will need to bring with you your PPE including safety boots, safety helmet, high-vis jacket or vest, safety glasses and gloves.

There are no formal learning requirements needed to attend this course. You will find a basic understanding of the Working at Height Regulations and common issues helpful. To guarantee the quality delivery of the course, courses are limited to 12 participants per session.

Certification

If you complete and successful pass the course - you need to pass both the theory and practical session - you will receive a PASMA certificate and PASMA card. This is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.


PASMA Towers for Managers

Who is it for?

This one-day course lasts a minimum of 6 hours and is for anyone with a responsibility for overseeing the work of others on site. They will ensure that work is properly planned and organised, as well as ensuring competency of those carrying out the work.

Many static towers are built and then remain in place for some time. However, it is imperative that these towers are routinely checked before and after use so they remain stable, safe platforms from which to work. This course is for people - operative, supervisors and managers - who inspect towers, ensuring they are maintained correctly.

Course Structure

This course is theory-based with exercises that form the basis of the course assessment. It is a comprehensive course covering:

  • Current legislation.
  • Various regulations and guidance affecting working at height with mobile access towers.
  • PASMA Code for Practice.
  • A look at assembling, altering and dismantling mobile access towers.
  • Best practice for fall protection.
  • Inspection of completed mobile access towers.
  • Completion of tower inspection records.
  • Examining the hazards that affect the safe use of mobile access towers.

Other information

As with other courses of this kind, there are no pre-requisite formal qualifications needed although it is expected that you will have a sound working knowledge of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Certification

This course is certified as pass or fail with a high pass mark of 80% and is assessed through open-book exercises.

If you successfully pass the course, you will receive a PASMA certificate and PASMA card. You must successfully complete and pass the theory and assessment sessions. The certification is valid for a five-year period from the date of issue.


PASMA Towers for Riggers

PASMA notes this as a comprehensive 5-day course that introduces how to safely assemble, dismantle and relocate tall structures. This includes towers with large decked areas, towers over 8 metres externally and 12 metres internally, as well as bridging structures, end and side cantilevered towers and linked façade structures. It also includes stepped towers - that is, towers on stairs – with the course objective to teach participants to do so safely, without risk of personal injury of the delegate and those around him or her.

Who is it for?

It is a comprehensive course, ideal for personnel responsible for assembling, altering, dismantling, moving and inspecting tower structures outside the scope of EN 1004:2004.

Course Structure

The comprehensive nature of this course demands a smaller group setting and so a ratio of 8 participants to 1 tutor is the accepted maximum ratio.

It is a combination of theory and practice. Like other PASMA courses, the pass mark is high at 80% with work assessed both theoretically with workbooks, and practical sessions too.

The course covers:

  • Current Legislation, Regulations and Guidance affecting working at height with mobile access towers.
  • PASMA Code of Practice.
  • Product Standards EN 1004:2004, BS 1139 part 6.
  • Assembling, altering and dismantling towers incorporating current best practice for fall protection.
  • Inspection of completed access towers.
  • Completion of Tower Inspection Records.
  • Hazards affecting the use of towers.

Other information

Participants will need safety boots, gloves, along with a hard hat, high viz jacket and/or vest in order to safely complete the practical sessions in this week-long course.

Certification

As well as a certificate and the PASMA current Code of Practice, participants who successfully complete and pass the course with receive their PAMA Photocard, complete with five-year validity.


PASMA Towers on Stairs

This one-day course, lasting a minimum of 6 hours, examines how to safely assemble, alter, dismantle, use and inspect towers on stairs without a risk to personal safety of the user or those around the tower. As with other PASMA courses, it is a mix of theory sessions, followed by practical sessions.

Who is it for?

It is an essential course for anyone who assembles, alters, moves dismantles and uses towers on stairs.

Course Structure

It may only be a day-long course but there is a heavy emphasis on the practical element of the use of towers on stairs, which is why this course has a maximum ratio of 8 participants to 1 instructor. This ensures plenty of opportunities to put the theory into practice.

The pass mark is still set to the same high standard of an 80% pass mark, with assessments in closed workbooks and throughout the practical session too.

The course covers:

  • Current Legislation, Regulations and Guidance affecting working at height with access towers.
  • PASMA Code of Practice.
  • Product Standards EN 1004:2004; BS 1139 Part 6, assembling, altering and dismantling towers including current best practice for fall protection.
  • Inspection of completed access towers.
  • Correct completion of Tower Inspection Records.
  • Hazards affecting the use of towers on stairs.

Other information

Participants will need safety boots, hard hat, gloves and high viz vest or jacket in order to safely complete the practical session.

Certification

Along with a copy of the current PASMA Code of Practice, participants who successfully complete and pass the course will have a PASMA certificate, along with the PASMA Training Photo Card last for five years. For those with a current PASMA card, the category of Towers on Stairs will be added to it.


PASMA Towers with Cantilevers

This is another one-day PASMA course, lasting a minimum of 6 hours. Like the other courses from PASMA, it is a mix of theory and practical sessions that consider the safe assembly, use, dismantling and relocation of standard configuration mobile access towers with a cantilever. It examines the principles of counterbalance and calculations.

Who is it for?

It is the ideal course for anyone who assembles and dismantles, moves, alters or inspects mobile access towers with cantilevers. There are no pre-requisites to learning but a good comprehension of both English and Maths is considered desirable.

Course Structure

With an 80% pass mark, candidates will be assessed via a range of theoretical and practical sessions. The nature of this course calls for smaller groups thus a ratio of 1:8 is the maximum.

This one-day course covers:

  • Course content Legislation, Regulations and Guidance affecting working at height with access towers.
  • PASMA Code of Practice.
  • Product Standards EN 1004:2004 and BS1139 Part 6:2014.
  • Assembling, altering and dismantling towers incorporating current best practice for fall protection.
  • Inspection of completed mobile access towers with cantilevers.
  • Completion of Tower Inspection Records.
  • Hazards affecting the use of towers with a cantilever.

Other information

A large proportion of this course will be putting theory into practice and so this means full PPE including suitable footwear, gloves and eye protection too. For this course, a hard hat with strap is preferable.

Certification

The PASMA certificate and PASMA photocard has a five-year validity and is handed to those who successfully complete this course.


PASMA Low-Level Access

PASMA denote this as a half-day course with a minimum of 3.5 hours instruction time. However, some training providers will add depth and detail to both the theory and practical elements of the course so that course participants get even more from it, stretching it to an all-day course.

This is great news for extending your learning, as well as providing a sensible platform from which to develop your knowledge and skills of working at height, working safely and so on.

Who is it for?

The PASMA Low-Level Access course is designed for personnel who work from prefabricated or pre-erected units under 2.5m in height.

The course objectives are three-fold covering how to safely assemble, dismantle and relocate low-level access units without risk of personal injury to you, the operator, or others.

Course structure

The session is split into theory and practical learning, with many of the tasks forming the assessment. The pass mark is 80%, so little room for error.

The course covers:

  • Current Legislation, Regulations and Guidance affecting work at height with low-level access units.
  • PASMA Code of Practice.
  • Publicly Available Specification.
  • Assembling, altering and dismantling low-level units.
  • Current best practice for fall protection.
  • Inspection of completed low-level units.
  • Completion of Tower Inspection Records.
  • Hazards affecting the use of low-level units.

Other information

You will need to arrive prepared with your personal, protective equipment including safety boots and helmet, high viz vest or jacket, safety glasses and gloves.

Certification

There are no pre-requisites for formal, prior learning for anyone looking to attend this course. However, there is an expectation that you will have some understanding of the hazards of working at height, as well as working knowledge of current health and safety regulations.

When you successfully complete the course, including both the theory and practical elements, you will receive a PASMA certificate and PASMA card. This is valid for five years from the date of issue as with the other courses.


PASMA Combined Towers & Low Level

A popular day-long course delivered over a minimum of 7 hours, this training course looks at the safe use of low-level access units and standard mobile access towers. If you use both of these in your workplace, then this is the course for you.

Who is it for?

For workers and management alike, the objective of this course is how to safely build, dismantle and relocate low-level access units and standard mobile access towers without risk of personal injury to the workers involved or others.

Course Structure

The comprehensive nature of this course, along with the need for more materials and practical assessments will often see it taught in smaller groups of eight participants to one tutor.

Split into theory and practical sessions, the assessments are ongoing with a variety of exercises, including a workbook, and has a high pass mark of 80%.

The course will detail:

  • Current Legislation, Regulations and Guidance affecting working from low-level access units and standard mobile access towers.
  • PASMA Code of Practice.
  • PAS250 (Publicly Available Specification), assembling, altering and dismantling.
  • Current best practice for fall protection.
  • Inspection of both low level and standard mobile access towers.
  • Tower Inspection Records.
  • Hazards affecting the use of units & platforms.

Other Information

As with the other courses, as there is a practical element to the course - essential for successful certification - you will need to bring your safety gear with you, including safety boots, helmet, gloves, high viz and so on.

Certification

Successful certification depends on you completing the course and passing the assessments too. The pass rate is set high to deliver value but once you have achieved this milestone, you will have a PASMA certificate and PASMA card, valid for five years from the date of issue.


PASMA Working at Height Essentials

Working at height is not just confined to one or two industries or sectors and yet, there are many accidents that could be avoided if people were trained in how to work safely at height but also in being able to identify hazards. In answer to these problems, PASMA created this half-day course.

Who is it for?

This half day course is perfect for anyone who may experience working at height in the course of their duties.

The course objective is simple but important: it is to enable an individual to effectively comply with their duties under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Course structure

The course is theory based, with a series of small assessments that culminate in certification, if the pass mark of 80% or more is reached. The course will cover:

  • Current Legislation, Regulations and Guidance affecting work at height.

Certification

On successful completion, you will be issued with PASMA photocard and certification, both of which are valid for five years from the date of issue.


Blocks to Learning

PASMA wants to make the workplace where working at height is the expected norm, a safer place, free from injury and fatalities. PASMA identifies several blocks to learning, all of which can be overcome, as well as issues that may affect working at height.

Literacy and language

Although they do not specify pre-requisite learning or formal qualifications, PASMA's Code of Practice is clear: issues with literacy and any help that participants need to successfully understand and complete these courses must be forthcoming.

You must be able to confidently read and follow instruction manuals and comprehend other important documentation leading to the correct building, dismantling and relocation of towers and platform.

Physical health

Building, dismantling and relocating platforms is physically demanding, therefore the PASMA code of practice highlights that;

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.

IPAF

IPAF is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members. Membership extends to a wide variety of people and organisations across all industries and sectors including rental companies, contractors and users.

Their aim is to promote the safe and effective use of powered access equipment in the UK and worldwide. This comes in the form of technical advice and information, and by influencing legislation and promoting high standards through safety initiatives and training programmes.

IPAF does not provide training itself but provides high quality, comprehensive courses through some 600+ training centres. Developed by leading industry professionals, its training programme meets the International Standard ISO 18878 Mobile elevating work platforms - Operator (driver) training.

More than 100,000 operators are trained each year and, like the PASMA photocard, has value across industries, the PAL Card - or Powered Access Licence card - is a sign that the holder can safely use and operate powered access equipment.

But like other bodies, IPAF also understands that the key to developing safe practice is to keep learning which is why those with a PAL Card also have a certificate and a copy of the latest safety guide but, more importantly, a log book for keeping an accurate record of their practice.


IPAF Training Courses

There are four main IPAF categories, making it easier to decide which is the right course for you. The four categories are courses for operators, PAL+, demonstrators and instructors. The categories for MEWP equipment are:

Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) courses for:

  • Mobile Operators
  • Demonstrators
  • Installers
  • Advanced Installers
  • Instructors

Other courses include:

Where you see the + symbol, this denotes there is an additional day's training that can see an operator delve deeper into the use of powered platforms and personnel lifts.


IPAF Static Vertical (1a)

This one-day course shows an operator how to prepare and safely operate a static vertical personnel platform. It is a theory and practical course combined which will see the operative manoeuvring, driving and positioning vertical platform safely and proficiently.

The course covers:

  • Awareness of health and safety regulation, accident prevention and control
  • Safe operation of static vertical platforms and their limitations
  • Pre-use checks, inspection and function tests
  • Route planning before operation of static vertical platforms
  • Manoeuvring the machine
  • Setting up a static vertical platform for work
  • Basic operational skills
  • Selection and use of fall arrest equipment

On successfully completing the course, including all exercises and the assessment, you will receive your certificate along with a PAL photocard with the 1a training category included. This is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.


IPAF Static Boom (1b, 1b+)

This one-day course covers the operation of static self-propelled booms, trailers and push-around and vehicle mounted platforms.

It is a theory and practical based training session that covers:

  • Awareness of health and safety regulation, accident prevention and control
  • Safe operation of static self-propelled booms and their limitations
  • Pre-use checks, inspection and function tests
  • Route planning before operation of static self-propelled booms
  • Manoeuvring the machine
  • Setting up a static vertical platform for work
  • Basic operational skills
  • Selection and use of fall arrest equipment

As with the other IPAF courses, the PAL photocard will carry the 1b training category and is valid for five years. You will, of course, have to pass all assessment and exercises contained in the course that show you can safely and proficiently work with these kinds of powered equipment and at height too.


IPAF Mobile Vertical (3a, 3a+)

The course covers the use of scissor lifts and mobile vertical personnel platforms. Like the other courses, it is a one-day course, a combination of theory and practice.

The course covers:

  • Awareness of health and safety regulation, accident prevention and control
  • Safe operation of scissor lifts and mobile vertical personnel platforms
  • Pre-use checks, inspection and function tests
  • Route planning before operation of static self-propelled booms
  • Manoeuvring the machine
  • Setting up a static vertical platform for work
  • Basic operational skills
  • Selection and use of fall arrest equipment

On successfully passing the assignment and exercises, you will be awarded the category 3b on your PAL photocard, valid for 5 years, and with an extra day's tuition, you can seek a PAL+ accreditation too.


IPAF Mobile Boom (3b, 3b+)

Another one-day course that will see you proficient in the safe use of mobile self-propelled booms.

The course covers:

  • Awareness of health and safety regulation, accident prevention and control
  • Safe operation of scissor lifts and mobile self-propelled booms
  • Pre-use checks, inspection and function tests
  • Route planning before operation of mobile self-propelled booms
  • Manoeuvring the machine
  • Setting up a static vertical platform for work
  • Basic operational skills
  • Selection and use of fall arrest equipment

With your PAL photocard valid for 5 years, this is a worthwhile qualification to have under your belt.


IPAF PAV (Push Around Vertical)

PAVs are commonly used in many businesses. Quick and simple to operate, they make working at height much safer but only if you have the right training. This is usually a half day course.

The course covers:

  • Awareness of health and safety regulation, accident prevention and control
  • Safe operation of PAVs and limitations of use
  • Pre-use checks, inspection and function test
  • Emergency lowering
  • Planning a route before operating a PAV
  • Introduction to the PAV
  • Major components identification and its function
  • Starting/stopping the PAV
  • Travelling the route and manoeuvring the PAV
  • Setting up the PAV for work
  • Basic operational practice

Operators who pass the IPAF Push Around Vertical course will have this endorsement added to their current PAL photocard and their attendance at the course logged in their log book if they already have one. For those without, they will receive a PAL card with this category listed and is valid for 5 years.


Other IPAF Training Courses

There are many other courses that are useful to those working not only with powered access equipment but at height.

Harness Use and Inspection

Harness Use and Inspection is a half day course that is a useful additional qualification to have endorsed on your PAL card. It covers:

  • Identification of the correct harness for use in a MEWP
  • Inspection and maintenance of harnesses
  • Fitting and use of relevant harnesses
  • Awareness of relevant Health & Safety regulations
  • Awareness of personal protection equipment and requirements.

MEWPs for Managers

MEWPs for Managers is a one-day training course ideal for supervisors and managers on how to prepare and safely coordinate the various types of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) that they may have on-site or in their workplace at a given time. Candidates will need to sit a final written test and, if successful, will gain an IPAF MEWPs for Managers training certificate. Completing this course does not give them a PAL card as the course does NOT qualify you to operate a powered elevated platform.

A comprehensive course, it covers:

  • Awareness of health and safety regulation, accident prevention and control
  • Understanding IPAF machine classifications
  • Awareness of different types of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)
  • The history of MEWPs and the sustainability of machines for relevant tasks
  • Requirements for pre-use checks and daily maintenance
  • Regulations relating to MEWP usage
  • Delivery and on-site familiarisation process
  • Implications of a MEWP hire contract.

In Summary

Often, people feel it comes down to a choice of PASMA or IPAF.

Both provide different types of working at height courses and rather than comparing one organisation against the other, you need to focus on the equipment you will be working with. If you or your staff operate both types of elevated working platform, both powered and non-powered, you will need to complete the corresponding IPAF and PASMA courses.

Both offer 5-year certification, as well as ongoing professional development with log books etc. and so training your staff in either or both these courses and skills answers many of your obligations relating to health and safety regulations, as well as Working at Height regulations too.

It is important to remember that Working at Height Regulations 2005 applies to ALL work at height and where there is a possibility of a fall that could result in personal injury. The regulations include duties for employers, the self-employed and any person deemed under 'control' (e.g. employees) or contracted to work on your sites.

These duties stem from people being competent and safe to work at heights and this is why choosing the appropriate IPAF and/or PASMA training is critical.