News

James Brinkley receives Andrew Sulowski Award

July 2, 2008

The International Society of Fall Protection (ISFP) presented the Andrew Sulowski Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Fall Protection to James Brinkley. The award was presented on June 12th at the 2008 International Fall Protection Symposium held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. J. Nigel Ellis accepted the award on behalf of Mr. Brinkley who was unable to attend the event.

The award is named in honor of Andrew Sulowski, who has been instrumental in advancing fall protection safety. He holds four patents on fall protection equipment and has written two books and innumerable articles relating to the field. In addition to being a founding member of the ISFP, Mr. Sulowski has been an active member of the ASSE, CSA, and CSSE. Past recipients of the Sulowski Award include: Karl-Heinz Noetel (2003), Dr. Maurice Amphoux (2006), and Tom Wolner (2006).

"The ISFP is pleased to have the opportunity to recognize James Brinkley for his commitment to the advancement of fall protection," said Randall Wingfield, President of the ISFP.  "His dedication and body of research provides both an inspiration and challenge to his peers.  The Board of Directors of the ISFP is honored to present Jim with this award."

Mr. Brinkley began his career with the Aerospace Medical Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He was recruited to support research on human technologies for the development of supersonic bombers and of space systems. His research results were used to develop the first encapsulated crew escape system and to develop astronaut protection systems for NASA’s Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Additionally, the ACES II ejection seat currently used in all contemporary US Air Force aircraft was developed using his research results.

Mr. Brinkley's research has also involved development of safety systems for public use. He carried out a pioneering series of impact tests with volunteer subjects to demonstrate the safety of the first automotive passenger air bag restraint systems for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. His work has led to establishment of technologies for such diverse systems as snowmobile seating and free-fall lifeboats. His research on fall protection has included studies of tolerance of fall arrest force, sustained suspension after fall, analysis of fall accidents, and fall protection equipment test methods.
Mr. Brinkley is an author or co-author of over 70 journal articles, technical reports, and numerous book chapters on the human response to impact acceleration, vibration, windblast, falls, and personnel protection technologies.

Mr. Brinkley has received numerous honors and awards. He is a Fellow of Aerospace Medical Association. He received the Association’s Eric Liljencrantz Award in 1983 for his research on acceleration effects and in 1995 he received the John Paul Stapp Award for his accomplishments in biodynamics. In 2001, Mr. Brinkley was inducted into the International Safety and Health Hall of Fame of the National Research Council.