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10 The novel system which consists of a microshock harness and lanyard, safeguards workers from the discomfort of receiving such microshocks which are unpleasant and can even be painful. Where microshocks are severe, working activity may have to be postponed or re- scheduled. Therefore, as well as providing a much better working environment for line workers, the system offers the benefits of more reliable maintenance planning and a cost saving for industry. Collaborative partner National Grid provided research funding through Ofgem's Innovation Funding Incentive (IFI) for fundamental work, development and testing, enabling the concept to become a product. This was then licensed by UMIP to commercial partners, Pammenter & Petrie and Total Access UK who are now supplying the CE marked product to distribution and transmission network operators in the UK. The technology was "Highly Commended" in two categories (Power/Energy and Product Design) in the IET Innovation Awards in 2010. CEO Graham Burnett of Total Access (UK) Ltd and Nathan Pammenter, General Manager of Pammenter and Petrie Limited, commented: "Both our companies have a long history of working with National Grid on projects to help improve safety. We were delighted to be part of the development team that helped practically solve a day to day potential issue of microshocks. It's a first for the industry and we are proud to be part of it." Wayne Steel, OHL Equipment & Procedures Engineer, National Grid commented: "For a number of years, National Grid had been receiving reports back from numerous linesmen with regard to them receiving 'microshocks' whilst climbing the step legs of certain towers. A number of these linesmen couldn't actually climb the towers at all due to the nature of these shocks. We therefore approached Professor Simon Rowland in order to hopefully come up with an engineered solution to this phenomenon which was affecting a number of our staff. Through liaising between UMIP and our suppliers at the time, we developed a system which after undergoing numerous tests and field trials can now be inherently built into the PPE the linesmen use on a day to day basis. Since rolling this out to approx 50 linesmen who suffered from microshocks, no further reports with regard to receiving microshocks have been received." MICROSHOCKS CLIMBING PROTECTION SYSTEM Research undertaken by Professor Simon Rowland and his EngD student Yasir Ahmed in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has led to an innovative solution to the problem of microshocks. Microshocks are electrical discharges sometimes experienced by overhead linesmen working on high voltage transmission systems. Yasir during the testing phase of the prototype harness and lanyard combination at NGT Dains Sub Station LATEST UMIP LICENSING NEWS UMIC ® UMIP ® UMI 3