19.12.2005

Gil Male Joins IPAF

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has appointed Gil Male as its Technical Officer. Male is currently the Her Majesty’s principal specialist inspector and head of the Engineering Plant Group at the Health and Safety Executive’s technology Unit.
Please register to see all images

Gil Male

He played a key role in formulating and providing practical input and comment on health and safety regulations related to the use of mobile equipment. He continues to be closely involved in developing the new British standard code of practice for the safe use of aerial work platforms.

He will take up his new role on the sixth of February.

Male will focus on providing advice on the technical and regulatory issues in the use of powered access equipment and mobile elevating work platforms, In particular, he will work closely with the IPAF Manufacturers’ Technical Committee and the Powered Access Interest Group on matters relevant to the industry.
.
A chartered engineer since 1979 and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers since January 2000, Male’s career with the HSE spans more than 10 years. His key achievements include: formulating new Approved Codes of Practice and guidance on mobile work equipment that implement the Provision and Use of Work of Equipment Regulations (PUWER).

He has also represented the UK in formulating the European standards on risk assessment for machinery designers and certain CEN standards.

“These are interesting times for the powered access industry. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 have certainly given much impetus to the need to identify and follow safe working practices when working at height. In the coming year we will be focusing on the revision of European standard EN 280 to further develop design requirements under the Machinery Directive 98/37/EC and on formulating two British standards, i.e. BS 8460 on the safe use of MEWPs and BS 8454 on the delivery of training for work at height. I much look forward to meeting these challenges with IPAF.” Said Male

Tim Whiteman, IPAF managing director added, “Gil brings a wealth of experience in mechanical engineering,” “His expertise will be a strong boost for IPAF’s ongoing work in addressing the technical and legal issues facing the industry.”

Vertikal Comment
This appointment is quite a coup for both IPAF and the aerial lift industry. Male is a senior and well respected individual within the HSE. He has direct and personal experience of how government organisations work and reach decisions.

In his role as technical officer he will be in a position to play a major role in helping maintain and build on the powered access industry’s exceptional role in improving workplace safety.

Hopefully he will also be able to guide European Union governments and institutions away from mindless and distracting legislation, towards useful practical enhancements to safety, with the aim to reduce falls from height.