Will Tool Tethering Slow Me Down on the Job Site?

Most of the time, on the job site, efficiency and productivity are paramount.

This means refining processes need to be as seamless as possible. Implementing a process with the fewest amount of steps possible for achieving a particular goal is critical when we are trying to get the most out of our teams. Combined together, these ingredients lend themselves toward maintaining and operating an efficient job site.

One area that should never be overlooked, however, is job site safety.

More specifically, working at height safety.

During busy peak hours on a job site, fall protection for tools is an often overlooked safety procedure. Sometimes, steps like tethering tools while working at height are completely skipped in favor of saving time.

The question then becomes: Does tool tethering actually slow you down while you’re on the job site? And if it does, do the benefits outweigh the extra steps needed?

Thankfully, we’re here to answer this question.

Tethering Can Slow You Down When Done Incorrectly

When it comes to tool tethering, there are two common methods used to prevent dropping tools and for promoting working at height safely. There’s professional tool tethering, and there are DIY methods. We’ve talked about the comparisons between these two tool tethering methods before, but let’s dive into how each method impacts job efficiency.

DIY tethering, despite meeting OSHA regulations, leaves a lot of room for error.

For example, using an excessive amount of tool tether tape could make it difficult to use tools without additional effort, or worse, could cause a tripping hazard. Tethering to the wrong anchor point could also be a hindrance or even a safety hazard.

Professional tool tethering, such as using tether-ready tools, is a tried and tested method of ensuring one’s safety. Tether-ready tools products are specifically engineered for working at height safety without much effect on a worker’s ability to get their job done efficiently.

While it is true that even professional tool tethering may require an extra step or two to ensure working at height safely, the alternative is unacceptable.

Injuries Caused By Falling Tools Cost Even More Time

It’s true that the process of tethering your tools properly for working at height safely might seem mundane or could take some additional time—a few extra minutes.

However, think about what could happen if an injury is caused by a falling tool.

Aside from the obvious issue of injuring a fellow worker,  job site productivity could suffer a massive blow. The consequences could range from long work stoppages to complete job site shutdowns depending on the severity of the incident, should OSHA get involved.

All of this can be prevented by simply taking the extra step to tether your tools properly.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that tool tethering could potentially be a minor inconvenience, there’s no shaking the fact that it’s a necessary procedure for working at height safely.

While DIY methods could potentially slow you down on the job, it’s true that they’re certainly better than nothing. They prevent injuries from falling tools which, in turn, could cause job site shutdowns.

However, to prioritize working at height safely and increase job site efficiency, there’s no doubt that professional tool tethering methods are the way to go. Tether-ready tools are designed, engineered, and tested to be as little of a hindrance as possible while also preventing hazardous and fatal tool drops.

Be sure to take the extra step or two and tether your tools. You could potentially save a life.

If you’re looking for tips to build a work at heights safety program for your job site, check out our free guide to creating a safety plan.