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PROUD TO BE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE UK CoverUp Key is designed and manufactured in the UK

The Worlds #1 Tool for opening seized manhole & inspection covers

Name: CoverUp Key
Price range: $

Our patented slide-hammer action delivers upward impact from below, freeing seized manhole covers in seconds.

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See it in action

Safe

Upright posture, reduced back injuries.

EFFECTIVE

Uses impact, not constant force.

EFFICIENT

Reduces downtime, and pays for itself after a single use.

Used by fire crews, utilities, and infrastructure teams around the world.

Select your CoverUpKey set

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CoverUp Key can be used in a wide variety of industries

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Country Specific Tips and Tip Sets

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Who uses CoverUp Key

Trusted where safety and reliability matter most.

Fire services, utilities, and contractors rely on CoverUpKey to free stuck manhole covers using proven impact physics. Protecting workers, equipment, and time on site.

Water Utilities

Gas Network

Telecoms

Electricity

Fire and Rescue

Pest Control

Fresh Water

Free Whitepaper

Discover the new best practice for safe inspection cover release.

Our whitepaper explains why traditional lifting methods fail and how the CoverUp Key’s patented impact design releases 95% of stuck covers safely and efficiently. Learn how this proven, HSE-aligned system reduces manual-handling injuries, downtime, and cost across your workforce.

Download the Whitepaper

Product Features

Built for teams who need every manhole cover released, safely and first time.

Made to Last

Built from high-grade steel and designed for years of impact use in all conditions.

Interchangeable Tips

15+ precision-engineered tips for every cover type and sector. Quick to change, built to last.

SAFE, UPRIGHT POSTURE

Ergonomic slide-hammer design keeps operatives standing tall. No bending, twisting or strain.

ONE TOOL, ONE METHOD

A single, proven standard for releasing covers across teams, sites and industries.

ONE TOOL, ONE CARRY CASE INCLUDED

All in one lightweight kit. Fits in your van, carried and operated by a single user.

PROVEN IMPACT TECHNOLOGY

Patented slide-hammer action applies the correct force, in the correct direction, every time.

“Brilliant bit of kit. I was very skeptical when i first saw it. You will not regret buying one!”

Malcolm Gaskell

“I have these in my van, great plus with my bad back don't have to bend too far lol”

Andrew Shutt

“Great tool, had one for a few years. We nicknamed it the HULKBUSTER :-)”

Lee Morton

DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE UK

Built by groundwork professionals, trusted worldwide.

CoverUp Key was born on-site, not in a boardroom. Developed by tradespeople who saw the risks of unsafe lifting methods firsthand.
Engineered and assembled entirely in the UK, with every detail tested to meet the demands of real work.
Created in collaboration with UK Fire & Rescue and adopted by major utilities.
Trusted in more than 15 countries to keep teams safe and jobs moving.

Prevents needless injuries

Works anywhere, no power required

Fully mechanical design.

Lightweight

One-person kit that fits easily in any van.

Simple operation

No training required.

Releases stubborn covers in seconds

Proven to work in over 95% of real-world cases.

FAQs

Questions we get asked

The CoverUp Key is a patented tool engineered to release stuck or seized inspection covers safely, effectively and efficiently. Instead of relying on brute force or heavy lifting equipment, it uses a slide-hammer action to deliver an upward impact that breaks the seal caused by rust, grit, or compression. It is used across the water, gas, telecoms, highways, and construction industries to improve safety and speed on site.

Unlike traditional lifting keys that pull from above, the CoverUp Key applies impact force from below the manhole or inspection cover. Its patented slide-hammer mechanism strikes the underside of the cover repeatedly, loosening the seal layer by layer until the cover can be lifted safely.

This method aligns with the physics of static friction, proven to be more effective for releasing seized covers without damage.

Yes. The CoverUp Key is designed in accordance with UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) guidance. Operators use the tool in an upright posture, reducing strain on the back and shoulders. It has been tested and proven to reduce manual-handling risk, helping companies meet their duty of care and prevent avoidable injuries on site.

No. The CoverUp Key is a release tool, not a lifting device. It is designed to break the seal safely so standard lifting keys or mechanical aids can then be used to remove the cover. This separation of tasks makes it both safer and compliant with UK health and safety legislation.

It is trusted by:

Water utilities including Welsh Water, Thames Water, and Scottish Water
Gas and telecoms networks
Highways and local authority maintenance teams
Fire & Rescue Services for hydrant access
Construction, civil engineering, and groundwork contractors

The CoverUp Key is now used in more than 15 countries and proven to release 95 percent of stuck manhole and inspection covers.

Most lifting tools apply a constant upward force, which can cause damage or strain. The CoverUp Key applies repeated upward impact, the correct type of force to overcome static friction. It is the only tool of its kind to combine physics-based design, ergonomic safety, and industry-standard reliability, making it the safe, effective, and efficient choice.

Yes. The tool is designed for single-operator use. It is lightweight, easy to handle, and supplied in a compact carry case that fits neatly in any van. There is no power source or training required. Simply select the correct interchangeable tip, engage the cover, and use short upward strikes to release it.

No. The CoverUp Key is fully mechanical, requiring no fuel, hydraulics, or electrical setup. This makes it ideal for off-grid locations, remote worksites, and quick-response jobs where reliability and portability matter most.

Each CoverUp Key is manufactured in the UK from high-grade, corrosion-resistant steel, designed for years of heavy use in demanding site conditions. The interchangeable tips are durable but replaceable, giving the tool a long service life with minimal maintenance.

You can purchase directly through our website or from our approved stockists across the UK and internationally. Visit our Stockists page or contact us for trade pricing and distributor information.

Yes. We provide a toolbox talk template and guidance for safe and effective use. Many companies integrate the CoverUp Key into their manual-handling and safety training programmes as the approved method for cover release.

Shipping

Usually 1-2 business days in the UK

Customer Service

Call or email our friendly team Mon-Fri 8-5

Stockists

We have have resellers worldwide

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