A LEADING Black Country academic is flying high after being enlisted by the US Government to help modernise the way power tools are bought and used in space travel and defence.

David Edwards, professor of plant and machinery management at Birmingham City University, has been snapped up to join a panel of experts from across the United States, who are working to develop a standard which will cut the number of injuries caused by over-using hand-held power tools.

Professor Edwards, who lives in Lower Gornal, will help introduce a range of important safety measures, including guidelines for safe power-tool use in aerospace for the US based Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

The panel are currently tasked with drawing up a scorecard which will look at how to slash the risks that come from operating tools in occupations such as construction, engineering and the armed forces.

Common issues faced include noise – sometimes leading to loss of hearing, muscle and bone problems, lung disease from dust inhalation and hand-arm vibration syndrome, which damages nerves and blood vessels and can lead to a sufferers’ finger turning white.

An expert in engineering design and machinery health and safety, Professor Edwards has been tasked with a range of activities to support the new development, including giving regular advice to US officials and dialling into world-famous defence headquarters, the Pentagon.

He said: “It’s very exciting to be working with colleagues internationally on standards that could make significant improvements to the health and safety of workers using power tools.

“It’s also a great honour to be considered an expert by my peers in the United States and be presented with an opportunity to broaden the societal impact of my work."