Securing tools against falling from a height
While working at height, what can fall to a lower level? What might an employee drop from their hands? What could fall out of their pocket or tool bag?
The answer is simple: Absolutely everything!
Examples of items that an employee may drop from height include a phone, screwdriver, personal protective equipment, screws, power tools, or other small items.
As the falling distance increases, the kinetic energy with which a seemingly light object impacts the ground also increases. The illustration below shows the estimated final energy attained by objects after falling freely from a height of 100 meters.
It should also be noted that objects do not fall perfectly vertically downwards. In the case of an impact, for example, with a structure, their trajectory may change. This can cause the object to change direction, creating a hazard for people (or objects) located even at a considerable distance from the original point of impact.
How should the tool securing system look like?
- Mounting point on the tool
The anchor point installed directly on the tool, to which the tool lanyard can be attached. - Tool lanyard
The connection between the mounting point on the tool and the anchor point. - Anchor point
A point installed on the technician or structure, serving as the main load-bearing element of the entire system.
To define proper anchor points:
- On a Wrist, tools up to 1 kg
- On a Body, tools up to 3 kg
- On Construction, tools over 3 kg
