Research
Whilst at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), David Thomas was the project officer and/or client for an extensive range of research:
Friction in temporary works
Research Report 071, Birmingham University (HSE Research Projects 3945/R31.073 and HSLSC251 (2003))
Degradation of man-made fibre webbing
Assessment of factors that influence the tensile strength of safety harness and lanyard webbings
HSL/2002/16 (HSL Report FE/02/04, July 2002)
Degradation of man-made fibre webbing
Assessment of factors that influence the tensile strength of safety harness and lanyard webbings: Supplementary information
HSL/2002/17 (HSL Report FE/02/05)
Analysis and evaluation of different types of test surrogate employed in the dynamic performance testing of fall-arrest equipment
Contract Research Report 411/2002, Mr. D Riches, Safety Squared (HSE Research Project 4209/R33.092)
Harness Suspension: review and evaluation of existing information
Contract Research Report 451/2002, Mr. P Seddon (HSE Research Project 4241/R33.093)
Investigation into aspects of falsework
Contract Research Report 394/2001, Birmingham University (HSE Research Project 4026/R33.075)
Ergonomics evaluation into the safety of stepladders - Phase 1: Literature and standards review
Contract Research Report 418/2002, Loughborough University (HSE Research Project 4029/R33.077)
Ergonomics evaluation into the safety of stepladders - Phase 2: User profile and dynamic testing
Contract Research Report 423/2002, Loughborough University (HSE Research Project 4029/R33.077)
Survivable impact forces on human body constrained by full body harness
HSL/2003/09, Mr. H Crawford
Industrial rope access - Investigation into aspects of PPE
Contract Research Report 364/2001, Lyon Equipment Ltd. (HSE Research Project 4028/R33.076)
Retention of masonry facades - best practice guide
CIRIA Report C579, ISBN 0-86017-579-0 (HSE Research Project 4116/R33.084) (2003)
Retention of masonry facades – best practice site handbook
CIRIA Report C589, ISBN 0-86017-589-8, 2003 (HSE Research Project 4116/R33.084) (2003)
Preliminary investigation into the fall-arresting effectiveness of ladder safety hoops
Research Report 258, Mr. D Riches, Safety Squared (2004)
Investigation into the fall-arresting effectiveness of ladder safety hoops, when used in conjunction with various fall-arrest systems
Research Report 657, TUV-NEL and Safety Squared Ltd. (2007)
A review of retractable fall-arresters and their use in non-overhead and other applications not catered for by the test methods within BS EN 360
Research Report xxx (Publication pending), TUV-NEL and Safety Squared Ltd.
HSE Press Release E033:06, HSE urges caution over ‘retractable type fall arresters’ (21 March 2006)
David Thomas was the initiator of category E4 (‘Falls from height’) in HSE's mainstream research market 2001/2002. Twenty five proposals were reviewed, with the following research being selected and initiated:
Falls from height – prevention and risk control effectiveness
Research Report 116, BOMEL Ltd. (2003)
Safe access for maintenance and repair
CIRIA Report C611 (2003) (NOTE: Now in its second edition, C686)
Evaluating the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices
Research Report 205, Loughborough University (2004)
Recidivist risk takers who work at height
Research Report 201, Loughborough University and Aston Business School (2004)
A technical guide to the selection and use of fall prevention and fall arrest equipment
Research Report 302, Glasgow Caledonian University (2005)
