Working with Tools at Height™
We have developed the innovative Tools at Height™ system, which has made a major contribution to improving safety and efficiency by reducing dropped object incidents. Recently published statistics from the GB Health & Safety Executive identify 22,584 reported instances of individuals being struck by falling objects in 2001/02 of which 2,265 were the direct result of hand-held tools and equipment. The offshore oil industry is aware of the safety implications of dropped objects and has instigated a number of initiatives to prevent such events. These initiatives have mainly focused on the secure attachment of fixed equipment attached to structures. Conversely, hand tools used 'at height' are controlled by a Permit to Work system which only provides awareness of their presence aloft but cannot prevent them from being dropped. Despite this scenario being shared with other industries, maintenance engineers at a leading drilling company found that the market place did not offer a solution to using tools at height so they asked us to solve the problem. Our solution was to design and manufacture the highly effective Tools at Height™ system which provides storage when not in use, secure transportation of tooling to the workplace and a retention system to restrain hand tools dropped in use. Tools are fitted with lanyard attachment points which do not restrict their use. The system includes wrist and waist belt lanyard restraints as well as user ‘kit bags’.
Tool Control
Tools are controlled through storage in Snap-on tool cabinets fitted with multi-coloured hard foam drawer inserts into which the profile of each tool is CNC routed. This makes it easy to return each tool to its unique storage location and to quickly check that all tools have been returned at end of task or end of shift – meaning tools left at the workplace in error will be quickly identified. Tools may be colour coded to denote their purpose and be engraved with the client’s choice of identifier. The Tools at Height™ system can be applied to any tooling need, large or small. It can be used when working on telecoms masts, power lines, bridges, high-rise buildings, in fact, for any task where a dropped tool could cause a serious accident or lost time.