"Only dummies don't wear harnesses on booms"

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is distributing a free video that graphically depicts the dangers of operating a boom-type access platform without wearing a full body harness. The video shows the "whip-lash" effects on a crash dummy in the basket of a Skyjack self-propelled boom while driving over an obstacle.

The dummy is suspended, without a harness, at the top of the basket, which was modified to produce the video. The dummy, standing in for the operator, receives the full jolting and catapulting effects of boom movements as the carrier wheels rise over and fall off the obstacle.

To view the video, click on the button below right.

"This video is a vivid illustration of why operators should wear harnesses on boom type platforms," said IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman. "The industry must prevent unnecessary deaths where people are catapulted from booms. Let us keep this safe method of working at height even safer."

IPAF has made the video in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish versions. It can be downloaded at the Publications/Film section of www.ipaf.org or requested from: [email protected].