28.04.2009

IPAF challenges harness manufacturers

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has called for a radical re-examination of harnesses used by female operators of boom lifts and announced a competition to find the best new design.

Tim Whiteman IPAF’s managing director said: "Research suggests that MEWPs are increasingly used by women, particularly in the non-construction sector, which now accounts for more than 40 percent of European MEWP rental activity.

However, women operators regularly complain that the design of traditional harnesses make them uncomfortable and could cause serious pain and damage to breast tissue in the event of a catapulting incident."
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Traditional harnesses are not comfortable for most women operators

IPAF believes that operators of boom-type platforms should wear a full-body harness with an adjustable, short lanyard to prevent possible ejection from the basket in the case of an accident. For this reason, it is concerned by the complaints received from female operators and is determined to make the necessary Personal Protection Equipment comfortable and appropriate for women.

"Harnesses should be designed to be as comfortable as possible for all users – MEWPs are the safest way to perform temporary work at height, but without appropriate harnesses, women expose themselves to unnecessary risk," said Whiteman.

IPAF is inviting harness manufacturers to work with the Federation to address the discomfort issues and to find a way to minimise the potential dangers of damage to female breast tissue caused by the placing of load-bearing straps vertically across the front of the chest area.

Contact IPAF for further information. IPAF will award an IPAF Design Prize to the best solution which will be featured at its bauma press conference in 2010. All entries must be received by 15 March 2010.

Vertikal Comment

It would seem that harness manufacturers are a sluggish group when it comes to new product development – at least when it comes to aerial work platforms – progress to find more comfortable easy to attach harnesses designed for fall restraint, has been slow at best.

The industry is also shockingly poor at promoting the products and their usage as well as any new developments they might have introduced. Perhaps this is a market that could use an aggressive innovative competitor?

Perhaps this challenge will prove us wrong?