Why Tethering Your Tools Can Save You More Than You Think: A £28,000 Lesson

Why Tethering Your Tools Can Save You More Than You Think: A £28,000 Lesson

A recent incident reported by the Guernsey Press highlights just how costly the failure to properly secure tools can be. Access Scaffolding, a local scaffolding firm, has been hit with a fine of £28,000 after a battery-powered ratchet tool fell from a scaffold into a busy street, narrowly missing pedestrians.

Full article: Scaffolding firm fined after tool dropped into the Pollet | Guernsey Press

This unfortunate event, which occurred in January 2024, underscores the importance of secondary retention when working at height. The company admitted that it had not adequately secured the tool, which was held in a holster but left untethered. The result was a serious risk of injury to members of the public, and the incident could have been avoided with the right precautions in place.

At first glance, investing in a Kevlar tool lanyard, priced around £20, may seem like a small expense. However, this simple tool could have saved Access Scaffolding a fine of £27,980. The cost of a lanyard pales in comparison to the risk of a dropped tool causing harm or resulting in hefty fines due to negligence.

The court ruling also pointed out that several other safety measures were overlooked, including an improper placement of safety barriers and inadequate training of staff. This reinforces the importance of comprehensive safety protocols and investing in secondary retention solutions to protect both workers and the public.

At Secure Tools, we believe in the power of prevention. Our range of tethered hand tools, Kevlar coiled lanyards, retention systems, TAH bags, and more offer the ultimate in safety for working at height. These simple yet effective products can be the difference between a safe worksite and a costly, dangerous incident.

To avoid falling victim to a similar situation, explore our range of safety solutions today. Visit us at Secure Tools and ensure that you're doing everything possible to protect your team, your business, and the public.

Tools for working at height, tethered tooling solutions