PASMA Towers for Users cheat sheet
PASMA Towers for Users · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Product Standards and Tower Standards
EN 1004 is the European product standard for mobile access and working towers; it classifies towers by duty (Class 1, 2, 3) and by maximum platform height above the base.
EN 1004 Class 3 towers are rated for light duty only; they are not designed for heavy trades, stored materials, or high imposed loads.
A tower to EN 1004 is limited to a maximum platform height of 8 m outdoors and 12 m indoors; beyond that, the tower is outside the standard's scope.
BS 1139-6 is the British standard for mobile towers not covered by EN 1004; it permits taller configurations when designed and checked accordingly.
EN 1004 requires a platform duty load declaration; typical Class 3 working load is around 150 kg per platform, spread over the platform area.
Tower components must be used only with the system they were designed for; mixing parts from different manufacturers voids conformity and stability assumptions.
A tower must carry a manufacturer's instruction manual, and assembly must follow it exactly; deviations are outside the standard.
Tower standards require guardrails on all working platforms and at intermediate levels where a person could fall; toe boards are required where objects could fall.
Buying and Hiring Safe Towers
When hiring, specify EN 1004 compliance, the duty class, the required platform height, and whether use is indoor or outdoor.
A tower supplied without the manufacturer's instruction manual is not compliant; do not accept it.
Inspect on delivery: check for bent braces, cracked welds, damaged threads, missing locking pins, and deformed platform hooks.
Confirm the hire period, transport, and who is responsible for assembly, inspection, and dismantling.
Check that stabilisers and ballast (if required by the manual) are included in the hire package, not optional extras.
Verify the tower's rated platform height against the task; do not hire a tower that must be extended beyond its manual's limit.
Castors must be the correct type for the surface and must have working brakes; swivel castors with locking devices are typical.
Record the hire company's inspection regime and insist on pre-hire inspection evidence for second-hand or long-term hired towers.
Safe Use of a Scaffold Tower
Never move a mobile tower with people or materials on the platform; clear the platform, then push at the base only.
Do not use a tower outdoors in wind conditions above the manufacturer's stated limit; typical limits are around 12.5 m/s or as stated in the manual.
Never climb the outside of a tower; access must be by internal ladder or integral stairway.
Do not use ladders, steps, or boxes on a platform to gain extra height.
Keep the tower on firm, level ground; use spreader plates or sole boards on soft or uneven surfaces.
Do not attach sheets, netting, or signage to a tower; these increase wind loading and can destabilise it.
Never exceed the platform duty load; distribute loads evenly and never concentrate heavy items at one edge.
Barricade or guard the tower base where vehicles or pedestrians could strike it, and never use a tower as a support for other equipment.
Guardrails, Toe Boards and Platforms
Guardrail heights: top rail 950 mm to 1150 mm, intermediate rail at approximately 470 mm to 500 mm, with toe boards at least 150 mm high.
Guardrails must be fitted on all four sides of every working platform, including the side against a wall unless the gap is small enough to prevent a fall.
Toe boards must be fitted where there is a risk of objects falling from the platform, and must be secured to prevent displacement.
Platforms must be fully decked with no gaps through which a person or tools could fall; hatches must be closed when not in use.
Platform units must be secured with locking devices; check that hooks and catches are engaged before loading.
Guardrails must not be used as anchor points for harnesses or as supports for lifting equipment.
Intermediate guardrails and toe boards are required at any level where a person could fall from or through the platform.
Platforms should be kept clear of loose tools and materials; use tool lanyards or a closed container where falling objects are a risk.
Inspections and Assembly (3T and AGR)
The 3T method is Teach, Test, and Tell: a trained and competent person assembles, inspects, and instructs others in the tower's use.
AGR stands for Advanced Guardrail: a system where the guardrail is fitted from the platform below before the user steps onto the new level.
Pre-use checks: castors locked, base plates on firm ground, braces in place, locking pins engaged, guardrails and toe boards complete.
Formal inspections of a tower in use are required at intervals not exceeding 7 days, and after any alteration, damage, or adverse weather.
A tower must be inspected by a competent person before first use and after any event that could affect its stability.
Assembly order: base and castors, first frame, braces, stabilisers, platform at low level, then progressively add frames and guardrails.
Never assemble a tower alone if the manual requires two people; many systems require two persons for safe erection at height.
Record inspection findings; tag out or dismantle any tower found defective, and do not return it to use until repaired.
Product Standards and Tower Standards
EN 1004 towers are marked with the standard, duty class, and maximum platform height; check the label before use.
Tower duty classes limit the number of persons and the load per platform; never assume a tower is rated for heavy trades.
Outdoor use of an EN 1004 tower is limited to 8 m platform height; indoor use is limited to 12 m.
A tower that exceeds the standard's height limits must be designed by a competent engineer, not simply extended.
Stabilisers are required above a manufacturer-specified height (often around 2 m platform height) and must be fitted as the manual states.
Ballast requirements are set by the manufacturer based on wind loading and tower height; never omit ballast to save time.
Tower standards require that all components be identifiable and traceable to the manufacturer's system.
Non-standard or home-made components must never be used to extend or repair a tower.
Buying and Hiring Safe Towers
Ask for the manufacturer's manual and the declaration of conformity with the hire.
Confirm the tower's duty class matches the task; Class 3 is light duty only.
Check that all components are present against the manual's parts list before signing for the hire.
Confirm who is responsible for pre-use inspection and for statutory inspections during the hire.
Ensure stabilisers, ballast, and toe boards are included in the hire, not charged as extras.
Reject towers with missing locking pins, bent frames, or damaged castors; do not accept 'it will be fine'.
For long-term hires, agree an inspection schedule and record-keeping responsibility with the hirer.
Check the tower's rated height against the intended work; do not hire a tower that needs extending beyond its limit.
Safe Use of a Scaffold Tower
Move a tower only by pushing at the base, with no persons or materials on the platform.
Do not use a tower in wind above the manufacturer's limit; check the forecast and secure or dismantle the tower if wind rises.
Access the platform only via the internal ladder or stairway; never climb the frame.
Do not stand on guardrails, toe boards, or any makeshift platform to reach higher.
Keep the base clear of debris and ensure castors are locked before climbing.
Never attach sheets, banners, or netting; wind loading can overturn the tower.
Keep the platform tidy and do not exceed the duty load; distribute loads evenly.
Do not use a tower near overhead power lines or as a support for other equipment.
Guardrails, Toe Boards and Platforms
Top guardrail: 950 mm to 1150 mm above the platform.
Intermediate guardrail: approximately 470 mm to 500 mm above the platform.
Toe board height: at least 150 mm, secured to prevent displacement.
Guardrails on all four sides of every platform, including the wall side where a fall gap exists.
Platforms fully decked with no gaps; hatches closed when not in use.
Platform units secured with locking devices before loading.
Guardrails never used as anchor points or lifting supports.
Keep platforms clear of loose tools; use lanyards or closed containers.
Inspections and Assembly (3T and AGR)
3T: Teach, Test, Tell - the competent person trains, checks, and instructs users.
AGR: Advanced Guardrail - guardrail fitted from the level below before stepping onto the new platform.
Pre-use check: castors locked, ground firm, braces fitted, pins engaged, guardrails and toe boards complete.
Formal inspection at intervals not exceeding 7 days while in use.
Inspect after alteration, damage, or adverse weather.
Assembly order: base, castors, first frame, braces, stabilisers, low platform, then add frames and guardrails.
Two persons required where the manual specifies; never assemble alone if so.
Tag out or dismantle defective towers; do not return to use until repaired.