PASMA appoints full-time MD

Anyone who thinks the UK's Work At Height regulations hasn't significantly changed work place practices needs to listen to Peter Bennett. Soon to be the first managing director of the mobile access tower association PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association), he tells SI; “In 2000 we were training 3000 people every year, last year it was 33000 and we think it will be 40000 this year.”

Mr Bennett, a past-president of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and formerly sales director at Glasgow-based Turner Access, has been working part-time for PASMA for the past three years, but the organisation has grown to the extent that it needs a full-time secretariat.

Mr Bennett tells SI that the organisation's members – 250 companies in the UK and Ireland – now offer access tower training at 252 locations. He says it is the growth of this network, as well as health and safety legislation like the Work at Height regulations, that has fuelled the demand for training.“

“This is an extraordinarily exciting time at PASMA”, says Mr Bennett, “and I look forward to working with the PASMA Council and the association's various committees to improve the scope and range of services to our members and the industry at large. I also look forward to liasing with my many industry colleagues, the HSE and other kindred bodies to encourage safety and best practice across the access industry.”

PASMA has so far limited itself to the UK and the Republic of Ireland, but Mr Bennett acknowledges that its training scheme is something that could one day be exported to continental Europe. “It is something that I have considered, and PASMA has considered. I would not rule it out, but it's not our number one priority. Our main priority is to establish a headquarters with a dedicated staff, and to improve the services to our existing members.”

In addition to Mr Bennett's appointment the organisation is now looking for a national training manager, and its own premises in the Glasgow area. For details on PASMA, see www.pasma.co.uk