The Importance of Inspecting Your Tools and Equipment Before Every Use

There’s a lot of hustle and urgency out there in the field, and I get it. We’re often up against the clock, trying to get the job done right and on time. But here’s the thing—it only takes a few seconds to turn a normal day into one you’ll never forget, and not in a good way. If we’re not paying attention, the tools we trust to keep us safe can become the very things that cause harm.

That’s why I want to talk about something that can’t be overlooked: inspecting your tools and equipment before each use.

Before we dive into the critical habit of inspecting your tools and equipment, it's important to remember that safety isn't just about physical checks—it's also about challenging the mental habits we fall into. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out my series, Breaking the Silence: How Questioning Assumptions Enhances Workplace Safety. In Part 1, we explore how assumptions can lead to dangerous oversights and why it's crucial to question everything to create a safer work environment. You can start by reading Part 1 here.

The Little Things Matter More Than You Think

Back on October 19, 2015, I learned a hard lesson. While my accident wasn’t caused by faulty equipment, it hammered home one big truth: every single detail counts. Whether it’s a worn-out harness or a tool that’s seen better days, these "little things" are often what stand between you and disaster. We all tend to trust our gear because we’ve used it a thousand times before—but that’s when complacency sneaks in.

I know it’s tempting to rush. Sometimes you think, "It’s fine, I used this yesterday." But that’s where mistakes start. You wouldn’t drive a car with bald tires, so why trust your life to a frayed harness or a tool with a loose handle?

Take a Moment, Save a Life

I’m not saying you need to spend an hour inspecting every nut and bolt, but taking just a few minutes to look over your gear can mean the difference between going home safe or not going home at all. That’s the reality of this trade.

You’ve got a responsibility to yourself, your crew, and most importantly—your family. They expect you to come home in one piece at the end of the day. So take those extra moments. Inspect your harness, check your tools, and make sure that everything you’re trusting with your life is in top condition.

For more detailed guidelines on proper tool inspection and maintenance, you can check out OSHA’s publication on Hand and Power Tools (osha.gov). It’s a great resource to help ensure you’re following the best practices in keeping your tools in top condition.

Stay Accountable, Stay Safe

One of the most powerful things you can do is hold yourself—and your crew—accountable. Make tool and equipment inspections part of your routine, no exceptions. If something feels off or looks worn out, don’t shrug it off. Speak up. Get it fixed or replaced.

We’re all in this together, and it’s up to every one of us to make sure we’re not cutting corners on safety.

At the end of the day, it’s the small steps that build a safety-first culture. Inspecting your tools and equipment isn’t just a "to-do" item on the list—it’s a lifeline. So take the time, do it right, and make sure you’re ready for whatever the job throws at you.

Remember, we’re all in the business of making it home at the end of the day. Don’t let a preventable mistake change that.

Stay safe, keep each other accountable, and kill complacency.