Harnessing women's breasts a big concern for IPAF
14:45 27 May 2009
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The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has called for harness manufacturers to address issues of discomfort and safety for female platform operators.
The competition to find the best new design follows research which suggests that operators of boom-type mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are increasingly women.
IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman said: "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.
"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."
Operators of boom-type platforms are advised to wear a full-body harness with an adjustable, short lanyard to prevent possible ejection from the basket in the case of an accident.
Harness manufacturers are invited to work with IPAF to address the issues of discomfort 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.
An IPAF Design Prize will be awarded to the best solution which will be featured at the IPAF Bauma press conference in 2010. The closing date for entries is 15 March 2010. Further information can be found on the IPAF website.