Tool tethering is a way of preventing tools from falling or being dropped. It involves attaching tools to either the operative using them or, in the case of heavier tools, to a fixed anchor point. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but any system does need to be safely designed and the tool lanyards fit for purpose.

A typical tool tethering system will have three parts: the tether point on the tool itself, a tool lanyard, and an anchor point. It’s what’s known as preventative control, in that it stops tools from falling or being dropped in the first place.

Many of the steps currently taken to mitigate the risk of falling objects are secondary measures. They don’t stop tools from falling, but instead try to reduce the damage they cause when they do. They include wearing hard hats on building sites, as well as the use of netting, toe boards and edge protection.

Tool tethering is different. It gets to the root of the problem and stops drops before they cause an incident.