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Getting advice on managing hand and power tools I need some advice on managing small, hand and power tools. Up to this point I’ve bought all the tools needed for the shop. Occasionally, my employees bring in a couple of their own tools (e.g., battery-powered drill or air sander). However, there seems to be a fair amount of negligence lately. n Do most shops require their fabricators to provide their own tools? n Are tools bought by the shop and assigned to each employee, who then takes responsibility for them? n What works? Thanks for the help, Kim Boyer, Masterguard Ornamental Iron
Response number one:
Tracking tools is always a big chore. You can keep a complete inventory of each tool area. Make the foreman, or someone who is responsible for the tools, sign an inventory sheet (explain to them that they are responsible for the upkeep and safety of these tools) and keep track from there. The biggest problem I see is drill bits. It may be cheaper to replace them than the labor to track them. To identify personal tools and company tools, some companies use stickers printed with their company name. Try the ones that leave the messy sticky paper on when pealed off. This makes it easier to identify them in the pawnshop and an employee’s trunk. Some shops pop rivet I.D. tags on tools and equipment. The most expensive method is a bar code tracking system. It’s probably most effective in larger shops. Be honest with your employees from the beginning and have them sign the inventory sheet (modify this as new tools are added). Tom McDonough, Eagle Metal Fabricators Inc.
and found the answer lies in how your shop functions. If you’re a big shop having someone in charge of tools might be cost effective, but I don’t think that works for most of us. We built a shop tool cage. Everyday the tools are taken and returned to the cage, and no one leaves until all the major electrical tools are in their place along with the pneumatic tools. As for hand tools, we issue them to all employees that require them and scribe a number into the tools for identification. Employees are are responsible for the tools, just like they are responsible for the gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection we issue. If they loose something, they have to explain it. This works for us; we cut tool loss dramatically. We were even able to track when a new employee started taking other workers’ tools home. However, you need to look at how your shop functions and how tools are used in order to get the best handle on it. It took me months, but it was well worth it. Thomas B. Zuzik, Jr, Artistic Railings
Response number two:
Response number three:
I had the same question six years ago
For years, we just handed out tools as
Kim Boyer, Masterguard Ornamental Iron, Seattle, WA, Ph: (206) 204-0021, Web: www. mastergaurdiron.com Tom McDonough, Eagle Metal Fabricators Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Ph: (954) 583-8353, Web: www.eaglemetal.net Thomas B. Zuzik, Jr, Artistic Railings, Garfield, NJ 07026, Ph: (973) 772-8540, Web: www.artisticrail.com John O’Reilly, MMF Architectura, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, Ph: 011-353-444-9269, Web: www.mmfltd.com
employees needed them. But two problems arose: There was no responsibility, and more importantly, it took too much down time looking for a tool to do a certain job. So we came up with the following plan: All employees are given a small grinder, a big grinder, and a drill and drill set under the conditions that the tools are company property. We repair them and replace them if they get worn out. If employees loose the tools, they must replace them. If the tools get stolen, employees must produce a police report. We have a tool allowance each year. But staff must produce a set list of tools in their possession, including company hand tools, in order to receive their allowance. Keep in mind: People want to work; they do not want to be delayed. Ownership and responsibility are very effective. Bonus systems are difficult to manage. And unless you have set out very clear rules and procedures, they can cause unease among staff and management. John O’Reilly, MMF Architectural
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