PASMA Towers for Users key terms

A free-standing, prefabricated structure of tubes, frames and platforms on castors, assembled on site to give temporary working access at height and moved as a complete unit.

A tower built from a manufacturer's matched system of components designed to fit only together, supplied with assembly instructions and rated for a stated duty and height.

The European product standard for mobile access towers, setting requirements for materials, dimensions, stability, guardrails, platforms and the information the manufacturer must supply with the tower.

A classification in the tower standard describing the maximum uniformly distributed working load a platform may carry, distinguishing light-duty from heavier-duty tower use.

The maximum load a platform, deck or tower is designed to carry in normal use, as stated by the manufacturer, including people, tools and materials.

Placing more weight on a platform or tower than its rated safe working load, which can cause component failure, instability or collapse and is a common cause of tower incidents.

A horizontal rail forming part of the edge protection on a platform, positioned at a specified height to stop people falling from the working deck.

A rail fixed between the top guardrail and the platform surface so that no unprotected gap exceeds the permitted distance, preventing a person passing through the edge protection.

A vertical board fixed along the platform edge at floor level to stop tools, materials and feet slipping off the deck and to retain items during work.

The standard limits on openings in edge protection, typically no gap large enough to let a person or a spherical test object pass through at any level of the guardrail system.

The working deck of a tower, made of timber, metal or composite boards or hatches, on which people stand and store materials while working at height.

A hinged opening in a platform that allows access between levels through the deck; it must be closed behind you and must not be left open while working.

A ladder or inclined stairway fitted inside or on a tower to let people reach each platform safely, positioned so users do not have to climb over guardrails.

A swivelling wheel fitted to the base of a mobile tower, usually with a locking brake, allowing the tower to be moved and then locked in position for use.

A flat foot fitted to the bottom of a tower leg to spread load and give a stable bearing on the ground when castors are not used or when specified by the manufacturer.

An outrigger or leg extension fitted to a tower to widen its base and increase resistance to overturning, required above certain heights as stated in the instructions.

A projecting frame fitted to the base of a tower to extend the effective footprint, improving stability and reducing the risk of the tower tipping in wind or when loaded.

The force exerted on a tower by wind, which increases with height, sail area and exposed sheeting, and which may require the tower to be tied, ballasted, lowered or not used.

Environmental factors such as wind, rain, ice and lightning that affect tower stability, platform grip and the safety of people working at height, and which may stop work.

The strength, level and stability of the surface under a tower, which must be able to carry the leg loads without settlement; soft ground, slopes and covers need assessment.

The manufacturer's written and illustrated guide supplied with a tower, giving the correct sequence, component list, height limits and stabiliser requirements for safe erection and dismantling.

A person with the training, knowledge and experience to carry out the task in hand, such as assembling, inspecting or altering a tower, and who can recognise defects and unsafe conditions.

A systematic check of a tower's components, connections, guardrails, platforms and stability, carried out before first use, after alteration or movement, and at intervals as required.

The check made by the user before starting work on a tower, confirming it is complete, stable, correctly locked, fitted with edge protection and free from obvious damage.

A method of recording a tower's inspection status on a visible tag, showing it is safe to use, awaiting inspection or not to be used, so users can see its condition at a glance.

A recognised safe erection approach based on three principles: through the trapdoor for access, starting from a stable base, and building in the correct sequence with edge protection in place.

A system where guardrails are fitted to the level above before the platform is installed, so the person assembling the tower is protected without relying on personal fall protection.

Advanced guardrail, an assembly method using frames or attachments that place edge protection ahead of the assembler, allowing towers to be built without working at unprotected edges.

Measures used to prevent or arrest a fall from height, such as guardrails, harnesses and lanyards, selected according to the task and the hierarchy of control.

A body-worn assembly of straps connected to a lanyard or fall arrest system, used where guardrails cannot be provided, and requiring a suitable anchor point and rescue plan.

A structural fixing of adequate strength used to attach fall protection equipment, which must be capable of withstanding the forces of a fall arrest.

The order of preference for managing risk, starting with eliminating the need to work at height, then preventing falls, then mitigating the consequences of a fall.

A structured review of the hazards and controls for tower work, covering height, ground, weather, public protection, materials and the competence of those involved.

A pre-arranged procedure for recovering a person who falls or becomes trapped while working at height, including equipment, trained people and calling emergency services.

The process of obtaining a tower from a supplier, requiring checks that it meets the product standard, comes with instructions, is complete and is fit for the intended task.

Measures such as barriers, exclusion zones, netting or toe boards that keep members of the public and other workers safe from falling objects and the tower itself.

Moving up or down a tower using the designated internal ladder or stairway rather than climbing the frame, which is unsafe and can cause falls or instability.