Kiwi invention grabs 2nd in Brit awards

For immediate release

Kiwi invention grabs 2nd in Brit awards

Tuesday,09 June, 2009

A unique Kiwi invention that relieves neck pain for those who spend a lot of time looking up has taken second place in the Product Innovation category of the prestigious British Safety Industry Awards 2009.

The invention, Necprotech, which was recently launched in the UK and Europe, was placed second – and given a Highly Commended – by an independent panel of eight judges, all health and safety experts in the UK. The Product Innovation award is given to new and innovative products that will make a significant contribution to reducing workplace injuries.

“The [judging] panel had not seen a similar product available on the market and believes that, if worn, [the product] would help prevent neck strain. In addition, the product seemed comfortable to wear and was not intrusive when the wearer was not working overhead,” said Geoff Hooke of the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), UK’s leading authority on workplace health and safety and organisers of the Awards.

This award adds to the accolades the Necprotech has already received in the short time it’s been in the UK, including the Charles Godfrey Innovation of the Year Award 2008 and Product of the Month in major trade publications.

Site Safe New Zealand’s Executive Director, Iris Clanachan, believes the award is a real coup for New Zealand and our building industry, “Being recognised by such a prestigious award in a large nation like the UK shows that our country is well ahead in the health and safety industry.”

“A product such as the Necprotech could be a real asset to New Zealand in terms of neck-injury prevention and productivity, especially in the high-risk construction industry where the number of injuries is high,” she says.

Necprotech is worn like a backpack and protects the neck by supporting the heavy weight of the head of a person looking up. It will be a welcome relief for many tradespeople, such as painters, plasterers, fruit pickers and electricians who, in the past, had nothing to support their necks as they worked overhead. The product will be available in stores from July. www.necprotech.com

To view a photo that accompanies this release please visit:
http://mediacom.nzpa.co.nz/attachments/11894_md12673-pic.jpg

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