If you are in the construction industry or if you work in a similar field, you must already know by now that one working at height have risks that workers or maybe even you yourself are not shielded from. In fact, statistics show that in the past year, accidents occurring from falls from working at height is one of the most common workplace accidents that ever occur. What is more unfortunate however is that among all of the other types of workplace accidents such as getting struck by either a moving vehicle or object or machinery, or getting trapped by a collapsed asset, work at height falls actually have the largest percentage of fatalities which makes up 40%. Imagine what a huge percentage fatalities due to fall from heights already contribute to, what more are the non-fatal accidents that still leave the people involved in such accidents in a bad shape? If you find yourself in a similar situation wherein it is inevitable for you to not work from a height, then you could take the necessary precautions to actually avoid such accidents. One of the best ways you could do is to undergo PASMA Training that could eventually be a starting point to other safety training modules as well.
Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA)
PASMA is the leading training association that focuses and specializes in training modules used primarily for the topic on the safety in use of mobile access towers. It does not only focus on the use of these towers, but their modules also aim to promote how to apply the best practices in the industry to ensure a safe workplace and environment for not only the mobile access tower users, but to everyone involved and on-sit as well. You are guaranteed of industry standard training modules for handling work at height safety precautions because PASMA is made up of expert individuals in their industries. Because work at height laws are already in place, there are a lot of accredited training facilities in the country who give PASMA training for those who want to go into such a profession who uses mobile access towers.
Different Kinds of PASMA Training to Cover all Bases
There are actually different kinds of PASMA training modules available so that you have all bases cover to ensure that you would be able to lower the risk of getting on-site accidents or even fatalities due to the false use of mobile access towers or improper work from height precautions practiced while working. There is the basic course of PASMA towers for users and you could also get a combined course should you wish. If you are already in the managerial level or if you are an owner of a construction firm, you would also want to have your managers undergo the PASMA towers for managers so that you would have greater guarantees of a safe workplace. There are also certain PASMA tower trainings for low heights such as training modules on stairs and on low level access, and even a PASMA tower with cantilever training course. All of which are as important as the other to have a safe workplace for all.
PASMA as the Starting Point
PASMA training is actually a pre-requisite to more advanced trainings such as training courses for IPAF operators. Since it is a huge equipment to work with, you should be able to prove that you are competent enough to not only work the equipment, but to work from a height safely more importantly. This holds true most especially for construction workers who need all of the knowledge and sufficient experience so that you would be able to fulfil and perform all duties on-site with ease and with all of the safety precautions in mind. It may be a bit costly but getting the basics solid first especially for your first in line workers is really important to avoid having additional medical or funeral expenses in the future due to unwanted accidents.
How Long Does It Actually Take?
A PASMA training does not need to take up most of your working time or your employee’s time because it only actually takes one day to complete. The training would include topics ranging from knowing the different components of mobile access towers to assembly, to making sure of its stability, to knowing all of the safety hazards and up to the inspection of the build. There would be hands on practical tests all throughout the training, but to better ensure that each individual are actually able to learn, understand and keep the knowledge, there would also be a written test regarding all of the legalities involved in working at height. Other standards relating to the equipment and even all of the potential hazards on-site and in the workplace brought about mobile access tower would also be included in the test. At the end of the course, a certificate is awarded which will be valid for a period of five years before the need to renew.
