Prior to the introduction of the Working at Height regulations in 2005, there was a 2 m exception whereby you only had to consider risks greater than 2m. That no longer applies but may be what they are referring to. The most suitable course for tower scaffold users is run by PASMA - Prefabricated Access Suppliers' & Manufacturers' Association. They offer a course called Towers for Users and their are training centres running this course nationwide. See http://www.pasma.co.uk/t...ing/towers-users-course/ Completion of such a course will fulfill an employer's obligation to provide training and instruction.

Liz said...Our work place has recently been given a scaffold tower. Can anyone advise if our maintenance staff need to go on a working a height course if they use this tower? I would advise a Safe Use of Towers course (as opposed to Working @ Height) or Pasma, as recommended by Stevie. The choice may depend on the amount of money you have set aside for training. Is there a specific height they can go to without any training. No. A risk assessment will be undertaken, but one of my maintenance staff said you can use the tower without training up to 2.5 metres. Don't put him in charge of your health and safety. ;-) Is this correct and if so can you provide link of legislation. Some how don't think this is true but stand to be corrected! No need to correct you, Liz. Your fears were 100% correct. A few other things You say the tower was 'given' to you. It needs to have enough components for the working height you require. It needs to be inspected. It needs to be maintained and before anyone assembles it, you need to have an up to date copy of the Manufacturer's Instruction Manual.