PASMA Towers for Users exam-day guide
PASMA Towers for Users · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID matching the name on your booking
Most training providers ask to see photographic ID before the course starts. Bring the original document, not a photocopy or a phone photo. If you have no passport or driving licence, confirm with the provider in advance which alternatives they accept.
Booking confirmation and any pre-course paperwork
Print or download the confirmation email, plus any pre-course questionnaire, medical declaration, or employer authorisation letter your provider has requested. Confirm with the provider whether digital copies are acceptable or paper is required.
PPE: safety helmet, safety footwear, gloves
The practical session involves assembling, moving, and dismantling access equipment, so standard site PPE is normally expected. Bring your own well-fitting helmet and boots if you have them; confirm with the provider whether loan PPE is available and whether hi-vis clothing is required.
Suitable working clothing for outdoor practical work
Tower assembly usually happens outdoors or in an unheated training hall. Wear close-fitting clothing that will not snag, and layers you can remove. Avoid loose sleeves, scarves, and dangling jewellery or lanyards.
Note-taking materials
A pen and notebook are useful for the theory session. Some providers issue their own workbook or notes; confirm with the provider whether any materials are supplied.
Arrive knowing the venue, parking, and access arrangements
Training centres are often on industrial estates with limited parking and a specific gate or reception. Check the joining instructions the day before and plan to arrive with time to sign in and find the training room.
Read any pre-course guidance on the theory content
Familiarise yourself with the general topics covered: current legislation and guidance, hazards and risk assessment, stability and ground conditions, assembly and dismantling sequences, inspection, and safe use. Do not rely on this guide as a substitute for the course itself.
Bring any employer-specific procedures you are expected to follow
If your employer has its own permit-to-work, rescue plan, or tower tagging system, check with the provider whether it can be discussed during the course. Do not assume it will be covered.
Confirm the course duration, start time, and finish time
Towers for Users courses are commonly run over one day, but timings and any split between theory and practical vary by provider. Confirm with the provider so you can plan travel and any care or work commitments.
Check the assessment format in advance
Ask the provider whether the assessment includes a written or multiple-choice theory paper and a practical observation, and whether any pass marks or re-sit arrangements apply. Confirm with the provider rather than relying on second-hand accounts.
Declare any medical condition or accessibility need beforehand
If you have a condition affecting balance, mobility, hearing, or eyesight, or you need adjustments for the theory paper, tell the provider when booking. Confirm with the provider what adjustments they can make.
Plan not to drive long distances immediately after a physically demanding day
Practical tower work is tiring and often involves lifting and carrying components. Consider your journey home, particularly if you are travelling far or in poor weather.
Plan the day
Re-read the joining instructions end to end and check the start time, address, and what to bring. Confirm with the provider any points that are unclear, including ID requirements, PPE provision, and the assessment format. Sort out your PPE now so you are not hunting for boots the night before. Get an early night and avoid heavy physical work in the days before if you can, so you arrive fresh for the practical session.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, PPE, clothing layers, pen and notebook, and any employer paperwork. Check the weather forecast if the practical is outdoors and plan accordingly. Charge your phone and save the provider's contact number in case of travel problems. Confirm your travel route and parking arrangements, and set an alarm that gives you a comfortable margin. If you are unwell, contact the provider as early as possible to discuss options; do not simply fail to attend.
Eat a proper breakfast and stay hydrated; the day is long and includes physical activity. Arrive in good time to sign in, meet the instructor, and settle in. Wear or bring your PPE and suitable clothing. Listen carefully to the instructor's briefing on venue rules, emergency arrangements, and the day's structure, and ask questions if anything is unclear. Keep your phone silent and out of use during instruction unless the instructor says otherwise.
Take notes on the key themes: legislation and guidance, employer and employee duties, hazard identification and risk assessment, ground conditions and stability, assembly and dismantling principles, inspection and tagging, and safe use including movement of towers. Ask for clarification on anything you do not understand rather than guessing. If a written or multiple-choice assessment follows, read each question carefully and answer what is asked.
Follow the instructor's demonstrations exactly, including the order of assembly and dismantling and the use of stabilisers, outriggers, and ballast where specified. Work as part of a team and communicate clearly when moving or passing components. Check ground conditions, overhead hazards, and the weather before assembly. Never climb or work at height unless the instructor has confirmed it is safe and you have been briefed. Ask before improvising; the assessment is usually about following the correct method, not speed.
Collect any certificate or card issued, check that your name is spelled correctly, and note any expiry date, since PASMA qualifications typically need refreshing. Ask the provider about replacement cards or verification if you need them for site. Feed back to your employer on any site-specific procedures that need updating, and file your documentation where it can be produced on site.
Rules to check
Bring photographic ID and be ready to show it at sign-in. The name on your ID should match your booking. If you are unsure what identification is accepted, confirm with the provider before the course day.
Attend the full course. Theory and practical sessions are normally both required, and partial attendance may mean you cannot be assessed. If you must leave early or arrive late, speak to the provider in advance.
Follow all instructions from the instructor and all venue safety rules, including emergency procedures, exclusion zones around towers, and any restrictions on where equipment may be assembled.
Wear the PPE specified by the provider for the practical session. If you arrive without suitable PPE, you may be unable to take part; confirm with the provider whether loan equipment is available.
Do not use phones, cameras, or recording devices during instruction or assessment unless the instructor explicitly permits it. Venues may also restrict photography of their premises or equipment.
Breaks are set by the provider and are usually scheduled around the theory and practical sessions. Ask the instructor if you need to step out for a medical or welfare reason rather than leaving unannounced.
Assessment arrangements, including the format of the theory paper, the practical observation criteria, pass marks, and any re-sit or appeal process, are set by the provider. Confirm these details with the provider rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.
Be honest about your health and fitness. If you feel unwell or injured during the day, tell the instructor immediately; do not attempt practical work that you are not fit to carry out.