Do I need training / certificate for scaffold tower?

dbriggs

I need to hire a scaffold tower around 6 or 7m high so I can reach the guttering on my sons house. Do I need to be trained or have a certificate to put up the tower or use it? Someone told me they have PASMA training, but that seems to be a trade thing and not for DIY. Any ideas?

DigForVictory

The hire company probably will tell you.
So may your life insurance policy - phone & check first?
Offhand I'd *guess* your home, your castle, your neck, but necks are tricky to replace so you might want to check out training costs or life insurance extensions?

dbriggs

Thanks - sounds like good advise. The local tool hire company has closed for the day but I'll give them a call in the morning. I've hired one out before for internal work but as it was much lower and also indoors I was happy to use it without training as no-one could see me (or report me!).

I used to do this sot of gutter work with just an extension ladder but I'm not as fearless as I was when I was a lad!

Feral_Moon

You only need to be PASMA trained if your job consists of working at height or assembling and/disassembling towers. It's not necessary for DIY work although it goes without saying that you need to be competent in building a tower and safely secure it with appropriate outriggers etc. Especially if it's to be mobile.

It's your neck/spine at risk if something goes wrong. Would the person you know who is PASMA trained come and erect it for you?

Kiran

Do you need to be PASMA certified to build a tower? No. Should you be competent to erect one? Yes, and definitely when working at the type of quoted heights.

That being said it is quite straightforward. I have been PASMA certified for years and they do teach you how to safely erect a tower. If you follow the manufacturers guidelines, which by the way should be included when you hire but is frequently lost or forgotten, then you can't go too far wrong.

If in doubt see if you can get a competent person to erect it for you and strip it when you're done.

dbriggs

Thanks Feral Moon and Kiran. After speaking with the tool hire company today they have told me that I do not need to be PASMA trained and the scaffold tower hire will be supplied with some basic safety equipment, such as gloves and a hard hat. They will also supply clear instructions to put the tower up and a helpline should I need to ask any questions. They have sent me a copy of the instructions and it looks very do-able!

Thanks for your advise!