What Tools need Tethering when Working at Height

What Tools Need Tethering?

Any tool or item that could become a dropped object and cause injury, damage or disruption if it falls should be considered for appropriate tethering when working at height.

The exact requirements depend on the work environment, tool, height, attachment method and risk assessment. There isn't a universal rule that every tool must be tethered in every situation.

Common tools that may require tethering include:

• Spanners and wrenches
• Sockets and ratchets
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Hammers and mallets
• Adjustable wrenches
• Allen keys and hex keys
• Torque wrenches
• Cutting tools
• Measuring equipment
• Inspection equipment
• Power tools
• Pneumatic tools
• Electrical tools
• Specialist maintenance tools
• Tool bags and containers

Larger equipment can also require appropriate securing or secondary retention, particularly where it is installed or positioned at height.

What about small tools?

Small doesn't necessarily mean low risk.

A screwdriver, socket or spanner falling from a significant height can cause serious injury. This is why dropped-object prevention should consider the potential consequences of an object falling, not simply its size or weight.

How are tools tethered?

Depending on the tool and application, tethering can involve:

Tool lanyards
Attach a tool to the worker, belt or suitable anchor point.

Tethering points
Purpose-designed attachment points incorporated into the tool.

Tool bags
Used to safely transport and contain multiple tethered tools.

Tethered tools
Tools supplied with an integrated or manufacturer-approved tethering system.

Secondary retention
Used for equipment or objects where an additional independent securing system is required.

Which tools should NOT simply be tethered with an improvised solution?

This is an important point for Secure Tools to emphasise.

Don't assume that drilling a hole, wrapping cord around a tool or attaching an unsuitable lanyard makes a tool safe to use at height.

The tool, tether, attachment point and connection method need to be suitable for the application and expected load.

Manufacturers' instructions and relevant site procedures should always be followed.