Hey, everbody! My name is Austin Stephenson, and I'm the channel account specialist here at Ergodyne.

And for the next 8 minutes I will be talking to you about dropped tool prevention, why it matters, and what solutions and resources are available to you. But before we dig in, here is something to get you going. 

{WATCH VIDEO}

The most serious nuclear threat in the history of the U.S. didnt from the Soviets, but from a single nine-pound wrench socket. 

• It was Dropped by an airman performing maintenance on a Titan II missile at a launch complex in Damascus, Arkansas.
• The socket fell 70 feet, ripping a hole in a fuel tank and leading to an explosion that forced a 9-megaton warhead out of the ground. 
• Thankfully, safety features prevented radioactive spillage or detonation, but the explosion killed one and injured 21 others. 
• The 1980 Damascus Titan missile explosion is a drastic but poignant example of what can result from assuming everything is going to work perfectly every time, and In this case, it almost wiped an entire state off the map.

Without a dropped object prevention plan in place, you are making the same assumption. history and common sense tells us that that is a losing plan. And the numbers are stark proof: Luck is bad policy. Severe injury and fatality from dropped objects—even something as small as a wrench socket—are all too common, resulting in thousands of injuries, hundreds of deaths, hundreds of millions in total costs and who knows how many close calls every year.

Ergodyne’s mission, to make the workplace a better place, reaches the most demanding job sites across all industry verticals … from construction to manufacturing and beyond. 

• Since 1983, we’ve pioneered the development of products through our three innovation pillars that PROVIDE PROTECTION, PROMOTE PREVENTION, and MANAGE THE ELEMENTS for workers the world over. 

The category we interchangeably call objects at heights and/ or dropped object prevention actually spans our protection pillar and our prevention pillar 

ERGODYNE IS THE LEADER IN DROPPED OBJECTS PREVENTION. Years before it became best practice, our pioneering line of Squids Tool Tethering solutions and Arsenal gear storage took the industry lead in preventing the tens of thousands of injuries caused every year by dropped or falling objects––and we continue to set a higher standard in at-heights safety today. 

Recognizing the pressing need for formal guidelines within the category of Objects at Heights, Ergodyne joined forces with fellow safety equipment manufacturers and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) to develop a standard for tethering tools and equipment. 

• This standard––ANSI/ISEA 121-2018––defines minimum design, performance, testing and labeling requirements that solutions like our Squids Tool Tethering Systems are stringently held to. Ergodyne brings the widest selection of certified solutions available to jobsites around the globe.

Of course, realizing the importance of tethering is one thing, but knowing what you need is quite another. We get that scoping the tool tethering needs of any worksite can be a logistical nightmare. So we look to simplify at every turn, including our collection of trade-specific tool tethering kits, which boils it all down to a simple 1:1 ratio—one kit provides comprehensive drops prevention for one worker, covering all the most common tools of the trade, complete with simplified step-by-step instructions. 

But tethering is just part of prevention. Addressing how workers transport tools and equipment to heights is vitally important. Our line of Arsenal Gear and Tool Storage solves this challenge with solutions like 121-certified hoist buckets, bags and pouches, complete with zip and cinch tight options to avoid spills from above.

The latest hoist buckets in the Arsenal line are designed with heavy-duty, built in zippered tops––rated to 100lbs––that eliminates detachable lids that can get in the way of some jobs or be misplaced. 

Ergodyne’s protection pillar includes top-to-bottom solutions that account for nearly 70% of the accidents resulting in days away from work every year, including repetitive motion, vibration, flying debris and stuck-by incidents…

Designed for heavy-duty yet lightweight and comfortable head protection, our Skullerz Climber Style Safety Helmets provide additional impact protection from falls, dropped objects or bumping into stationary objects.

• Ideal for those working at heights, this compact helmet design increases all-over impact protection and improves visibility, while a chin strap ensures the helmet remains secure to the wearer’s head upon impact or sudden movement. 
• One of the biggest challenges for workers is how to use a safety helmet with headlamps that often get snagged or fall off. 
• Our safety helmets include front and rear integrated accessory slots for secure attachment of Skullerz Hard Hat LED Lights. The helmets also feature easy bolt-on mounting of the Skullerz 8991 Safety Helmet Visor for those looking for integrated eye protection. 

For those needing increased visibility along with tethering and storage options for working at heights, there’s the GloWear Hi-Vis Tool Tethering Vest.  Intended for tethering tools under 2lbs, this safety vest is dual certified for both ANSI/ISEA 121 and ANSI/ISEA 107 compliance. Unlike other hi-vis vests worn underneath fall protection harnesses, this surveyor-style vest is designed to be worn over the top of the system for maximum visibility and accessibility to tool tethers. This vest is also available as a kit that includes three Squids Tool Lanyards for added out of the box convenience. 

When it comes to partnering with safety professionals on prevention strategies and the successful use of Tenacious Work Gear, Ergodyne goes above and beyond. with on-demand access to tools, resources, and support––in addition to on-site surveys, demos and educational sessions Ergodyne is here to help. 

• That’s never more apparent than during National Safety Stand-Down Week--a time for leaders to focus on safety at heights with their crews - from fall protection to dropped objects prevention. 
• Whether it be focused around a toolbox talk, equipment safety inspection or just a frank open forum to address safety concerns, a stand-down is an opportunity for crews to break and talk directly to managers about safety in the workplace. 
• Its as Simple as that. And our safety pros are here to help create an impactful moment for crews to learn, reflect and rally around. 

Ergodyne serves, supports and protects anywhere real work is done in many key markets like:

• Oil and Gas
• Pulp and Paper
• General Manufacturing
• Metalworking Manufacturing
• Construction
• Utilities

Want to learn more about dropped tool prevention? Check out our objects at heights educational site ergo.zone/drops or if you prefer a more personal touch contact us directly by email at support@ergodyne.com

To us, it’s about more than just (really good) Gear. It’s about supporting the goal of zero workplace injuries from every angle imaginable. 

And with that, thank you so much for taking a few minutes out of your day to learn about the objects at height category. I wish you all a safe and productive 2021.