The effect of harness suspension on a simulated maintenance task efficacy in the renewable energy industry

Building, bridge or wind turbine maintenance requires manual dexterity tasks by a specialist rope-access trained workforce via two principal means: harness suspension of individual workers from above, deployment suspended platform cradle which access the structure to be maintained. Currently no published research compares accuracy and efficiency simulated between these modalities. This study investigated task performance peg placement shape delineation in seated, standing environments 16 healthy controls 26 professional individuals. Both seated assessments were superior those suspended, height suspension, total mass years experience had influence on outcome. These findings suggest that, where feasible, mechanisms permit are favourable terms efficacy should considered for energy other engineering applications.