Hi, one here for those Construction bods to ponder: If when moving a tower scaffold it ends up on its side could this be classed as a collapse - being reportable or simply a "topple". Is there a difference?

Agree with your general sentiment, but do advanced scaffolders have experience of the safe ways of erecting tower scaffolds? May sounds like a stupid question, but is there a possibility that a PASMA course may teach them something difference? If so, then it would seem logical to take this stance. Advice from an "advanced scaffolder" who has also sat a PASMA course would be useful :-) Did it teach you anything new or was it a waste of time?

If over 5m high, I would say yes, reportable. Regarding teh other commenst arising in teh thread: It's perfectly reasonable that tube-and-fitting scaffold and ally towers are treated as different qualifications. They are completely different things and the safe erection method for an ally tower is no more obvious to a tube-and-fitting scaffolder than it is to anyone else that's occasionally seen one / been up one. So in my view, it's perfectly reasonable that an advanced scaffolder who doesn't have a PASMA qualification can't erect an ally tower, but a PASMA operative who doesn't have a tube-and-fittings tickjet can. I don't expect a holder of a race driving licence to be allowed to drive a FLT or vice versa. I'm not sure what "normal guy off the street" means when teh "normal guy" picked "off teh street" just happens to have a PASMA qualification. That's not a normal guy off the street in my estimation. You don't use outriggers when moving a tower. It wouldn't move if you did. Whether it's a safe operation to try and move a tower over 5m tall on a soft (shingle) surface is a different question.

I tend to agree with Ron. Moving it, no-one was on the platform, I hope, so not 'in use'. And so likely not reportable if it was a pot-hole or obstruction or collision that caused the topple over. But if it was incorrectly assembled or there was some attachment that caused the topple then maybe reportable?

I don't disagree with you achrn in the context of facade scaffold collapse etc. But in those specific circumstances, the scaffold is built or under erection in the intended fixed location. The OP describes something being moved (which just happens to be a tower) which fell over.

Cheers Peter. I was just about to ask how high the mobile tower was whilst they were moving it. Pasma themselves say that a tower should be reduced to a maximum height of 4m IF it has the stabilisers at their correct angles AND they are 25mm above the ground. If you cannot do this, you must reduce the tower to 2m. The vast majority (if not all) manufacturers agree with this.

Hello All. Jake - I am aware of the competency levels when using Access equipment, but highlighted that a Tube &Fitting Scaff can not erect a Ally Tower due to lack of PASMA. The erection process is similar. In regards would the PASMA course teach the Advanced Scaff anything - Not really - They will treat it as a Day out payed for by the company. achrn - Being a Advanced Scaffolder to trade myself - I think I would know to raise the Outriggers before movement. And the Normal Guy off the comment is just a expression to a Non-Scaff.

I haven't seen any evidence of the height of the tower on this thread, Ron but if it was higher than 5m, i thought you had to report it.