The Ratchet Shop Blog

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Contrary to popular belief, lifting chains are not as simple as their name suggests. While their primary purpose is to lift heavy objects (the clue is in the name), doing so effectively and safely is something that requires a certain amount of pre-required knowledge

Lucky for you, we’ve got that knowledge in spades. Whether you’re new to the world of lifting chains or consider yourself something of a lifting chain connoisseur, here’s everything you need to know about this handy tool.

If you don’t work in construction, or aren’t an expert, it can be hard to know what certain tools are, what they do, and how they work.

That’s why The Ratchet Shop’s website is full of handy blogs and how-to videos to make sure that all our customers know how to use our tools safely and effectively.

In today’s blog, we’ll give you the lowdown on a highly underrated piece of kit: the cable grip. Read on to see our answers to your FAQs about cable grips.

When it comes to lifting and lashing, there are a lot of vital components needed to complete each job safely.

At The Ratchet Shop, we understand the importance of safety when transporting or fastening heavy loads. That’s why we’ve written this handy guide to chain components so you can tell each part apart, reducing error and ensuring you have the right equipment for the job.

If you’re unsure which chain or hook type your project needs, read on to find out.

As cities expand, more and more jobs in the construction industry involve elevation. Causing concern for many employers, tasks performed at height are far riskier in terms of injury and hazards than ground-level work.

That’s why the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) were introduced in 2005 to protect workers.

But knowing the correct gear, safety protocols, and best practices when it comes to working at height can be tricky, since there are so many potential hazards. Luckily for you, though, there are lots of practical solutions to the health and safety problems that arise when working at height.

Did you injure yourself while at work last year? If so, then you aren’t alone. According to the official Labour Force Survey, over 693,000 people injured themselves while at work in 2020 alone.

While most of these injuries can be considered relatively minor — a cut, a trip, a slip for example — some can also be extremely dangerous, especially for those working in sectors where the risk of injury is far more likely such as the construction industry.

In this blog, we’ll run through our top five pieces of workwear to help ensure workplace injuries are kept to a minimum.

If you regularly transport goods, you’ll know that ratchet straps, or ‘tie-downs’, are one of the most important pieces of kit that money can buy. Be it for long-distance cargo transportation or for securing furniture when moving house, ratchet straps prove to be an essential tool time and time again. In fact, ratchet straps make fastening and securing loads such a breeze that we couldn’t imagine life without them. Shockingly, though, not everyone takes care of their tie-downs despite knowing how crucial they are for health and safety measures in the transportation of large goods.

Lif-ting-slings! You’ve seen them around sites all the time, but they’re not very often explained – or at least very well! They’re the given item that just keeps on giving.

When you want a solution for hanging or moving a heavy object, eye bolts may be a perfect choice. Made to provide lifting support when other options are not suitable, eye bolts are the strength you need.