There is no specific law stating that every person using or assembling a mobile scaffold tower must hold a PASMA certificate. However, UK health and safety legislation does require anyone working at height to be competent, and employers have a legal duty to ensure workers have the appropriate knowledge, training and experience to carry out their work safely.
At TopTower, we have seen time and again that understanding the difference between what is legally required and what is considered industry best practice is important for everyone working at height.
What does UK law actually say?
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 do not specifically mention PASMA training or require workers to hold a particular certificate. Instead, Regulation 5 states that anyone involved in work at height must be competent, or if being trained, supervised by someone who is.
For employers, this means ensuring workers have:
Knowledge of the equipment being used
Practical skills to assemble and use it correctly
Understanding of the risks involved
Ability to identify unsafe situations
What does "competent" actually mean?
Competence is often misunderstood. It doesn't simply mean someone has used a scaffold tower before, nor does it mean they automatically become competent after watching someone else assemble one.
A competent person should understand:
How the scaffold tower should be assembled safely
Manufacturer's instructions and limitations
Safe loading limits
How to inspect the tower before use
When stabilisers, outriggers or guardrails are required
How weather and ground conditions can affect stability
When a tower should not be used
Is PASMA training legally required?
PASMA training is not a legal requirement. However, PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association) training is widely recognised throughout the construction and access industry as the benchmark for mobile tower safety, and a wide number of principal contractors and commercial clients require workers to hold PASMA certification before they are permitted to erect or use scaffold towers on site.
So while the law doesn't specifically require PASMA training, your client, employer or site rules often will.
For many businesses, PASMA training also provides clear evidence that workers have received recognised instruction should competency ever need to be demonstrated.
When should scaffold tower training be provided?
Employers should consider the level of training required based on the type of work being carried out.
For example, occasional users completing straightforward, low risk tasks may require basic in house instruction combined with supervision.
However, more comprehensive training is generally appropriate where workers are expected to:
Assemble and dismantle mobile scaffold towers
Work at height regularly
Move towers around site
Supervise other employees
Carry out work on larger commercial or construction projects
The more frequently scaffold towers are used, the more important formal training becomes. It should also be remembered that refresher training may be appropriate where equipment changes or employees have not used scaffold towers for an extended period.
Why training should be essential
Most scaffold tower accidents are caused by a lack of competence, not equipment failure. Training helps workers understand how to avoid these common mistakes before they become serious incidents.
Common mistakes made by untrained users
Without suitable instruction, workers may unknowingly introduce unnecessary risks.
Some of the most common mistakes include:
Missing components during assembly
Climbing the outside of the tower
Moving the tower while someone is still on the platform
Removing guardrails to improve access
Working beyond the tower's safe working height
Using towers on uneven or unstable ground
Failing to lock castor wheels before use
These may appear to be small oversights, but they can significantly affect the stability of the tower and increase the risk of falls from height.
Employer responsibilities under the Working at Height Regulations
Where scaffold towers are used regularly, employers should be able to demonstrate that workers have received adequate instruction and understand how to use the equipment safely.
The Working at Height Regulations also require work to be:
Properly planned
Appropriately supervised
Carried out by competent people
Supported by suitable risk assessments
Undertaken using appropriate equipment
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone use a scaffold tower?
A scaffold tower can be used by anyone who has the necessary competence to do so safely. This may be achieved through formal training, practical experience, or supervised instruction, depending on the nature of the work.
Do I need a PASMA certificate?
Not necessarily. UK legislation does not specifically require PASMA certification. However, many employers and construction sites require it as a condition of working on site.
Can I erect a scaffold tower myself?
Yes, provided you are competent to do so and follow the manufacturer's assembly instructions. If you have not received appropriate training or experience, supervision or formal instruction is strongly recommended.
How often should scaffold towers be inspected?
Scaffold towers should be inspected before first use, after assembly, after significant alteration, following adverse weather conditions, and at regular intervals while in use.
If you’re working at height and are unsure about the most appropriate equipment for the parameters of the work, TopTower is happy to discuss the options available to you. We offer a wide selection of portable scaffold towers, ladders, and ladder accessories to help keep your team as safe as possible for the duration of the project. You can browse our wide selection of products on our website, or get in touch with us to learn more.
