Tool@rrest Global Tool Tethering Advice: Tether tools, save a life!

When working at a height, an employer and employee needs to consider how to ensure safety for everyone involved. One of the most important things to consider is how you will be tethering your tools to avoid dropping them and lowering the risk of accidents. 

The Importance of Tethering your Tools

Safety First

• Preventing Falls: When working at heights, the risk of tools slipping from your grasp and plummeting to the ground is a real issue. Tool tethering ensures that even if you accidentally drop a tool, it won’t fall far, reducing the risk of injury to yourself or others below you.
• Protecting Others: Falling tools not only endanger the person working at height but also pose a massive threat to colleagues and bystanders. Tethering tools prevent these accidents from happening in the first place and save lives.
• Cost Savings: Beyond safety, tool tethering saves money by preventing damage to tools avoiding the need for costly replacements and stops the project around you suffering damage from tools that have fallen.

How to Tether Your Tools with the Best Methods

• Tool Lanyards: Use a purpose-built tool tethering lanyard that attaches securely to your tools and your harness or work belt. These lanyards are adjustable and allow you to work comfortably while keeping your tools within reach.
• Tethering Systems: Consider using tethering systems that include lanyards, retractors, and retrofit tether attachment points. These systems are simple to use and are designed for specific tools and provide a reliable way to prevent tools from dropping.
• Tether Attachment Points: Ensure that your harness or belt has designated attachment points for tool tethering. These points should be strong and positioned to minimize interference with your work

Best Practices for working at height

• Inspect Tool Tethers Regularly: Check your tool tethers for wear and tear. Replace any damaged lanyards promptly.
• Secure All Tools: Don’t overlook small tools like wrenches, pliers, or tape measures. Even lightweight items can cause significant harm/death if dropped from a height.
• Train Your Team: Educate everyone working at height about the importance of tool tethering. Make it a standard practice on your project – View our FREE training videos to help you with this.

Remember, tool tethering is not just a safety measure – it’s a responsibility! By securing your tools, you contribute to a safer work environment for everyone involved. So, next time you’re working at height, make sure your tools are tethered using Tool@rrest Global and keep safe and others safe!

Annual testing of safety harnesses is crucial to ensure their reliability and effectiveness. Regular inspections help identify any wear, damage, or defects that could compromise the safety of the harnesses. Here’s a checklist for inspecting safety harnesses.

1. Webbing Inspection:
   • Untangle the harness and visually inspect the entire length of the webbing.
   • Look for cuts, tears, or other damage.
   • Ensure the material feels flexible without any fraying, burns, melting, or missing straps.
   • If you identify any defects do not use the safety harness.
2. Stitching Inspection:
   • Check for pulled stitches, damaged, or missing stitches.
   • Hard or shiny spots, as well as discolouration, may indicate heat damage.
   • Damaged stitching renders the harness unsafe for use.
3. Hardware Inspection:
   • Examine all metal buckles, grommets, and plastic loops.
   • Look for cracks, tears, deformities, bending, cracking, rust, or corrosion.
   • Test all buckles to ensure proper functionality.
4. Identification and Labelling:
   • Verify that the harness has legible tags and labels. If they are missing or illegible the harness should be condemned.
   • Labels should include model number, manufacturer, limitations, and safety warnings.
   • Confirm the manufacturing date and ensure the harness is within its working life.

Remember, your safety harness is your lifeline when working at height. Regular inspections empower you to take control of your safety. If you encounter any issues during the inspection, replace the harness promptly.