Falling tools and equipment are a major—but preventable—hazard on construction and industrial job sites. From a tape measure to a mobile phone, even small objects can become deadly when dropped from height.
Every year, hundreds of U.S. workers die in “struck-by” accidents involving falling objects, while tens of thousands more are injured, including bystanders and subcontractors. These incidents aren’t just tragic—they’re avoidable.
That’s why more companies are implementing dropped object prevention strategies, including tool tethering systems that stop tools from ever hitting the ground.
Why dropped object protection is a legal and moral obligation
- Establish and barricade “Drop Zones” (exclusion zones)
- Ensure all personnel wear hard hats and protective gear
- Install toeboards, guardrails, or screens around elevated work areas
- Use debris nets, catch platforms, or canopy systems to catch falling tools
- Most importantly: implement tool tethering systems to stop the drop at the source
Tool tethering: Primary form of drop prevention
Just as workers performing at-height work need reliable, properly fitted fall protection, tools need fall protection as well. Cost-effective and reliable fall protection for tools includes tool tethers, which are lanyards that connect tools to an anchor point.
Tool tethering is the process of attaching tools to either the worker using them or to a sturdy, fixed anchor point. A tool tethering system includes:
- the tether point on the tool;
- a lanyard or other connector;
- and an anchor point.
Modern tool tethering solutions include tool tethers, tool belts & holsters (which can be worn on or off a work belt), and tool connectors, which can be used to create an attachment point on a tool to connect a tether to a tool tether anchor point.
On the body anchorages such as tool belts and holsters may be used for small, lightweight tools and objects.
Safety standards for tool tethering systems
Although tool tethering is not yet specifically enforced by OSHA, tethering all objects while working at height can help decrease the risk of serious job site accidents. Tool tethering also improves efficiency when working at height by keeping tools secured and close by so they are easily accessible when needed.
Companies who require employees to work at height often have a mandatory tool tethering policy. Tool tethering is also typically included in a comprehensive dropped object prevention plan. A dropped object prevention plan should include both primary (e.g. tool tethers) and secondary (e.g. tool canopies) systems of drop prevention.
Tool tethering systems used on a job site should be compliant with ANSI/ISEA 121-2018, the American National Standard for Dropped Object Prevention Solutions.
Tethering a hard hat & eye protection when working at height
Hard hats and eye protection should always be secured when working at height. All at-height workers should wear:
- a hard hat with chin strap and visor OR
- a hard hat (with hard hat tether) and safety glasses (with safety glasses tether).
Fall protection for tools & equipment when working at height
For innovative tool tethering equipment by Gripps – including retractable tool tethers, work belts & holsters, and transport/storage bags – check out our Gripps Tool Tethering Solutions collection. You can also take a look at their tool tethering handbook or print their tool tethering methodology poster.
Tethering solutions are available for hammers, tape measurers, phones/tablets, water bottles, bolts, and more.
How to select the best fall protection for tools & equipment
When it comes to dropped object safety, preventative control can save time, money, and lives.
Even small tools such as a tape measurer, bolt, or screw can cause serious injury or fatality if dropped from a high enough height. DROPS, a global work group focused on dropped object prevention, provides a free Excel based calculator to help safety managers determine the potential consequence of a dropped object.
Effective tool tethering reduces the risk of dropped tools which can cause injuries and fatalities. Tool fall protection also improves productivity by keeping equipment at hand while working at height.
Don’t wait for a near miss to take dropped object safety seriously. Whether you’re outfitting a small crew or managing a multi-level jobsite, the right tethering gear makes all the difference. From hard hat tethers to tool lanyards and holsters, we’ve got what you need to build a safer, more efficient work zone.