Tool Room Assessment Check List

2. Tools Identified

• Is every tool in the kit identified for that kit?
• Is every tool singly identified (no double etching)?
• Do identical tools such as torque wrenches that are stored together in a kit have a home? For instance, if five torque wrenches are all removed together, do you know which one goes in each spot in the drawer?
• Are tiny items such as drill bits stored in a larger container so that they can be kept together as a group?
• Is the larger container or sub-tray specifically identified for that kit?
• How are your rags controlled? Do you count them out and count them back in again?

3. Tools Clean and Serviceable?

• Pick each one up.
• Are the kit and kit contents dry?
• Are they free of corrosion?
• Free of excessive oil and grease?
• Are there any foreign objects in the box underneath where the tool lay?
• Are there any foreign objects under the toolkit foam?
• Is the toolkit interior and exterior in good repair?
• Is the padlock on a lanyard?
• Is the padlock etched?
• Does each toolkit have a FOD bag or FOD can?

4. Test Equipment

• Is it current in calibration?
• Are accessories identified for that item?
• Do individual training records document certification on high cost or special test equipment?
• Are all items properly stored?
• Are all items accounted for?
• Is there a calibration schedule for all test equipment items?
• Is there an equipment brochure available?
• Are handles, knobs, dials and viewing surfaces tight and clean?
• Are all screws, bolts, fasteners and general hardware accounted for?
• Are power cords and adapters in serviceable condition?
• Are batteries free of corrosion? Are they stored separately?

5. Leadership

• Do managers and supervisors periodically visit and help inspect the tool room?
• When it gets busy, do toolkit check-ins and check-outs become top priority for everyone in the tool room?
• Is guidance and policy directed from the top down? Is there a good feedback process from the most junior member of the team back up to leadership?
• Do supervisors reward top performers? Do they guide and lead by example?
• Do supervisors assess their own toolkits regularly?

6. Quality Assurance

• Does your QA inspect the tool room each month?
• Are they fair in their assessments?
• Do they share trend information with tool room personnel?
• Do they spend time to teach and train?
• When they walk into the tool room, do people fear their tread? (I hope not.)

7. Individual Tool Items

• Are all separate items marked?
• Are they checked in with the same care as a small toolkit?
• Does each have a clearly marked home?
• Are all the holders, racks and shadowed spots inventoried before the off-going shift is released from duty?

8. Bench and Operating Stock

• Is the exact number of needed items counted out before they are handed over the counter?
• Do technicians and mechanics have free access to bench stock?
• Should you expect the old items back?
• Do you trade an old bolt for a new? Should you?
• Are similar containers of liquid clearly marked so you don’t hand out the wrong stuff?
• If what the customer is asking for doesn’t sound right, do you question it?
• If you hand out disposable brushes, sponges, paper and such do you know where they all went?
• Should you be asking for them back?