How to stay safe using mobile scaffold towers

Mobile scaffold towers are a freestanding, stable, cost-effective method of working at height. Their lightweight nature and ease of dismantling make them easy to transport to and from worksites, while their versatility means they are ideal for a wide range of jobs, inside and out.

Advantages of mobile scaffold towers

We’ve already mentioned that mobile scaffold towers are lightweight and easily transportable, but here are a few other reasons why they may be the most suitable equipment for you.

• They are portable. Set on wheels, you can push towers around safely and effortlessly. There’s no need to disassemble and reassemble them when moving to a new work area, saving time and increasing productivity.
• You can work hands-free. The stable platform means workers have both hands free to work. There is also space for tools and equipment.
• They are freestanding. Where ladders require a platform to lean against, mobile scaffold towers are freestanding. They are more stable and safer thanks to the work platform and guard rails.
• Suitable indoors and out. Mobile scaffold towers are versatile and ideal for various projects from painting to cleaning and maintenance tasks and electrical installation.

Tips for staying safe while using mobile access towers

As with all work at height, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply when using mobile scaffold towers. To keep your workforce safe, consider the following;

• Planning. Always plan your project and carry out a comprehensive risk assessment before starting work; selecting the correct access equipment for the job is vital. Think about, for example, the height you need to reach, the equipment you need to complete the job and the worksite, including the presence of obstructions you may need to avoid.
• Worker competence. Ensure your workforce are competent and have completed the relevant training courses, such as our PASMA Towers for Users. Having the correct training ensures everyone understands the risks and knows how to use the equipment safely, which reduces the chance of accidents occurring.
• Assembly and disassembly.  Keep the manufacturer’s guide to hand at all times and follow the instructions for the specific tower your using. Always set it up as instructed and never exceed the height restrictions.
• Equipment quality. Ensure any tower you use is compliant with EN1004, a European product standard that ensures it meets a minimum safety requirement – find out more here. Also, hire equipment from a reputable supplier that maintains their mobile scaffold towers to a high standard and inspects them regularly.
• Safety checks. Inspect the tower regularly and always carry out a pre-use check before starting work: never use a tower if any part is missing or damaged.

PASMA Towers training with Warren Access

Ensuring your workforce have sufficient training is essential to keeping everyone safe, not just your workers. Accidents can affect members of the public and those working nearby as well.

The PASMA Towers course is the industry-leading training for tower scaffolds, and it’s UK-wide. The one-day course covers the use of access towers, current legislation, guidance, hazards, and best practice, along with risk assessments, inspection, and reporting.

Warren Access is one of the UK’s leading specialists in Work at Height training. We are approved PASMA training providers and offer courses at customers premises all over the UK and at our own fully equipped facilities in North East England and Cambridgeshire. We have several PASMA courses available, including PASMA Towers. Register now or see our full range of PASMA courses here.