ZT safety harness is preferred in rail development

Farringdon Crossrail in the UK has introduced the 2011 IAPA (International Awards for Powered Access) winning ZT Safety Harness to its workforce and subcontractors.

Connecting East and West London the Crossrail programme will be the largest addition to the south east rail network in 50 years, with the main construction works to be complete in 2017. Health and safety management is vital as it aspires to build Crossrail in a way that demonstrates exemplary levels of health, safety and environmental performance.

ZT Safety Systems was introduced to the rail companies working on the Crossrail programme by Bruce Lever, of Facelift's rail division. He is an advocate of the ZT Safety , which has also been adopted as best practice by Niftylift and Ascendant Access.

The key features that appealed to the client were the easy use of the harness, comfort because there are no groin straps and the reduction of risk from suspension trauma compared with a standard five point harness.

The basic concept of the ZT Harness centres on the harness supporting the chest area/torso in the usual way, but rather than grabbing the groin, it grabs the calf muscles, via sliding straps and self tightening cuffs. This pulls the falling person into a foetal position, which provides a shock absorbing effect as well as supporting the person in a comfortable manner that does not induce suspension trauma.

VBB, the specialist mechanical and electrical contractors working on the Farringdon Crossrail project have adopted the ZT Flame Retardant Coverall harness as part of their ZERO HARM Campaign and health and safety objectives for 2012. ZT Safety Systems said that the ZT FR/GORT Coverall harness is the only one on the market developed specifically for the rail industry (GO/RT) that conforms to FR standards EN531, EN ISO 11612:2008, EN1149-5:200.

VVB's William Cotter said that he was really impressed with the harness and, "would like to see the ZT adopted as best practice with all the companies working on the Crossrail project."

IPAF MEWP harness inspection training was delivered to the workforce by Facelift Training senior instructor Eddie Reast in conjunction with ZT Safety Systems' Steve Morris and Paddy Orrell on site at Crossrail's Farringdon location in central London.