[JKR HQ Berakas, Negara Brunei Darussalam] – In a significant move to enhance workplace safety and elevate professional standards, a half-day awareness campaign on working at height and mobile access towers was held on 2nd July 2025, targeting key stakeholders from the Public Works Department (JKR) of the Ministry of Development and major construction companies in Brunei. The event, spearheaded by Best TRARAsia in collaboration with the UK-based Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA), aimed to highlight the crucial role of international standards in preventing accidents and ensuring a safe working environment.
The campaign’s central message was the availability and importance of PASMA’s globally recognized standards for mobile access towers. These standards provide a clear, competency-based framework for the safe use of towers, a common piece of equipment on construction sites and maintenance projects.
The event commenced with a welcoming address from Md Isam bin Hj Ibrahim, Managing Director of Best TRARAsia. He set the stage by emphasizing his company’s commitment to promoting a culture of safety in Brunei’s rapidly developing construction sector. He underscored the critical need for comprehensive awareness and training to mitigate the risks associated with working at height, a leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries worldwide.
Following this, Daniel Ng, Regional Director for PASMA ASEAN, delivered a compelling introduction to PASMA. His presentation clarified the distinct advantages and applications of mobile access towers versus traditional scaffolding. He detailed the specific PASMA standards that govern the design, manufacturing, and use of these towers, providing a clear pathway for companies to achieve compliance and demonstrate competence.
The program continued with a powerful presentation by Sarah Nunn, Head of International Development at PASMA. Ms. Nunn’s session focused on the core pillars of safety: rigorous testing and certification of mobile access towers. She dedicated a significant portion of her talk to a critical and often-overlooked issue: the dangers of “DIY” towers. Using vivid examples, she illustrated how common, self-made towers are a serious hazard and a primary source of accidents. To reinforce the importance of due diligence, she also outlined the essential steps for proper tower inspections, empowering attendees to identify and rectify potential safety issues on their sites.
The event concluded with an interactive and practical demonstration. Attendees were introduced to the PASMA Sure App, a digital tool designed to simplify and streamline tower inspections. Using a real mobile access tower exhibited at the venue, the participants were guided on how to use the app to conduct a thorough and compliant inspection, putting the day’s theoretical knowledge into immediate, hands-on practice.
This campaign marks a significant step forward in bringing international best practices to Brunei’s construction industry. By collaborating with JKR and major construction companies, Best TRARAsia and PASMA are working to ensure that every worker who uses a mobile access tower is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to return home safely at the end of the day. The widespread adoption of PASMA standards in Brunei will not only protect lives but also contribute to a more professional, efficient, and reputable construction industry.
Notable attendance, Head of JKR H.S.E department, Hazlinah binti Aliakbar, Superintendent of JKR, Phang Zyuk Lim @ Alex Jason, from Best TRARAsia SB, Agnes Deelen-Yong H.S.S.E and Operations Director, Executive Director, Paulus C.Deelen and from Total Access Solutions Aedge Technologies Pte Ltd, General Manager, Danny Lee (Singapore).
