PASMA Tower Inspection Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should be checked about outriggers and stabilisers during an inspection?
- That they have been removed for tidiness
- That they are correctly deployed, secured, and making proper contact with the ground via base plates (Correct answer)
- That they are folded against the tower
- That they are pointing upwards
Correct answer: That they are correctly deployed, secured, and making proper contact with the ground via base plates
Outriggers and stabilisers must be deployed as specified in the manufacturer's instructions, securely locked into position, and resting on firm ground via base plates. They must not be partially deployed or used on soft ground without adequate sole boards.
Question 2: If a tower scaffold has been left erected overnight, what inspection is required before morning use?
- No inspection is needed as it was inspected the previous day
- A pre-use visual inspection must be carried out to check for weather damage, vandalism, or unauthorised alteration (Correct answer)
- Only a check of the platform is needed
- The tower should be fully dismantled and rebuilt
Correct answer: A pre-use visual inspection must be carried out to check for weather damage, vandalism, or unauthorised alteration
A pre-use check must be conducted before each shift or period of use. Overnight, the tower may have been affected by wind, rain, frost, vandalism, or unauthorised modification. A competent person should visually inspect it before use commences.
Question 3: What is the purpose of checking that platform wind locks are engaged during an inspection?
- To prevent the platforms from making noise in the wind
- To prevent the platforms from being lifted or dislodged by wind, which could cause falls (Correct answer)
- To lock the platform colour in place
- To secure advertising materials
Correct answer: To prevent the platforms from being lifted or dislodged by wind, which could cause falls
Platform wind locks (also called deck locks or board locks) prevent the lightweight aluminium platforms from being lifted by wind. An unsecured platform could be dislodged in a gust, causing a person standing on it to fall.
Question 4: During an inspection, how should the safe working load (SWL) of the tower be verified?
- By loading the platform to maximum capacity and observing
- By checking the manufacturer's plate and instruction manual and ensuring the current loading does not exceed the stated SWL (Correct answer)
- By weighing each component individually
- SWL does not need to be verified
Correct answer: By checking the manufacturer's plate and instruction manual and ensuring the current loading does not exceed the stated SWL
The safe working load must be checked against the manufacturer's specification on the identification plate and in the instruction manual. The total load on the platform (persons, tools, materials) must not exceed this limit.
Question 5: What should be done if an inspection finds that the tower exceeds the manufacturer's maximum height?
- It is acceptable if extra braces have been added
- The tower must be immediately taken out of service and reduced to within the permitted height (Correct answer)
- It is acceptable on calm days
- Add extra castors to compensate
Correct answer: The tower must be immediately taken out of service and reduced to within the permitted height
Exceeding the manufacturer's maximum height compromises the tower's structural design, base-to-height ratio, and stability. The tower must be immediately taken out of service and reduced to the correct height by a competent person.
Question 6: What additional inspection consideration applies to a tower scaffold erected near overhead power lines?
- No special consideration is needed
- The distance from the power lines must be checked and must comply with HSE guidance (minimum safe distances), and the tower must not be moved into the danger zone (Correct answer)
- The tower must be connected to the power line for grounding
- Only rubber castors are required
Correct answer: The distance from the power lines must be checked and must comply with HSE guidance (minimum safe distances), and the tower must not be moved into the danger zone
HSE Guidance Note GS6 recommends maintaining safe distances from overhead power lines. For lines up to 33kV, the minimum clearance is 3 metres (though more is preferable). For higher voltages, greater distances apply. Contact with or proximity to power lines can be fatal.
PASMA Tower Inspection Procedures 4
What should be checked about outriggers and stabilisers during an inspection?