28.09.2016

New technical officers for IPAF

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has appointed two technical officers to its technical and safety department.

Harald Fries will be based in IPAF’s office in Basel, Switzerland, he is an electrical engineer with a background in safety processes and nuclear energy. For several years he has been a freelance engineer and technical translator, having spent a time with Kernkraftwerk the nuclear power plant in Leibstadt, Germany and more than 10 years with Alstom Power in Switzerland.

He started our as a commissioning engineer with ABB and spent more than 19 years with the company in various roles until 2000 when he joined Alstom. He has some experience of operating aerial work platforms. He speaks German, English and French.

Rupert Douglas-Jones will be based in IPAF’s head office in the UK and worked for IPAF for almost 11 years as international training manger, before setting up his own access equipment consultancy in 2011. He is a highly experienced operator instructor with a strong background and knowledge of health, safety and environmental law, he also has experience as an expert witness.
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(L-R): Harald Fries, Chris Wraith and Rupert Douglas-Jones

Both technical officers will report to IPAF’s technical & safety executive Chris Wraith, who said: “Between us, we now have an increased range of experience and knowledge in the technical and safety department, thus enabling us to offer greater support to our members, undertake specific research projects, and influence European and international developments in the market.”