Painters will be using an electric cradle to carry out redecoration works. Can someone with knowledge of cradles give information regarding what type of harness should be worn i.e. fall restraint or arrest as I seem to be getting conflicting information. Also any advise on rescue plans, bear in mind that there would not be room for a MEWP nearby to assist with a rescue and I understand and appreciate that noting call 999 is not an option. Any help or advise would be greatly received. I have asked the cradle company to email a copy of the instruction manual.

See link below to The Work at Height Safety Association Technical Guidance Note 5 “Guidance on rescue during work at height” http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/downloads/rescue.pdf

Sorry if I confused anyone it would be a suspended electric operated cradle not a MEWP.

How low does your cradle go? If you go for a fall arrest system then a: you're effectively permitting a fall rather than preventing one and b: you have to acknowledge and plan for them to effectively fall up to about 6m from the anchor point - dependent upon the system used (due to the length of lanyard, maximum length of pulley/deploying lanyard, their legs/head and a safety factor should be added too). A cradle descending to and then working at less than this height would basically mean that those within would have no fall mitigation and, worse still, might believe they actually did. Restraint should always be preferable but sometimes it's not practicable. That's a whole different story...