When do you account for tools?
1) On a one day (or night) job, count the tools before the job starts and then verify the count prior to re-energizing any equipment. For instance, if it is a total building shutdown then count before the utility shuts down the building and verify the count prior to the utility re-energizing the building. If the job has one shutdown and several energization intervals throughout, where equipment is energized in stages, then the recount is performed several times, once before each stage is re-energized.
2) On multiday projects (like long acceptance testing jobs), count the tools at the beginning of every shift and recount at the end of the shift. In the instance where a crew is working on multiple pieces of equipment in a day, it is best to do a recount every time the crew moves from one piece of equipment to another. This prevents having to search through several different switchboards in the event of a missing tool at the end of the day.
3) For trouble calls (typically real short duration projects), usually a technician is working by himself using his own personal tools. When working alone, it takes self discipline to perform a tool count every time. However, it is just as important on the small jobs as it is on the larger projects.
How do you count tools?
1) Template toolbox (my favorite): This involves a toolbox such as a multidrawer rollaway where every tool has a specific slot where it belongs. Every socket, wrench, and screwdriver has a cutout that the tool fits into. Each cutout is labeled, identifying which tool belongs where. A nice touch for this type of toolbox is to have the bottom of each cutout painted red so that when the tool is not in the box there is an obvious red space. This is by far the most efficient way of accounting for large quantities of tools.
2) Toolbox inventory check sheet: This is used for something like a large gang box or hand-held portable box. Every item in the box is listed on an inventory sheet that is attached to the box. At the beginning of a job, the actual inventory is compared to the inventory list and any discrepancies noted.
3) Photo inventory: Taking a picture of the tools in a drawer or toolbox works well as long as the printed photo is large enough to clearly see all of the tools. Multiple photos may need to be taken to ensure that each tool is included.
4) Written tool list: This type of tool accountability is for the other items such as lights, vacuums, grounds, cords, and anything else that may be used on a particular job. Usually written on a lined piece of paper, it needs to have a clear detail and quantity of each device. In the event that there are multiple units of the same device on a job, it is best to list each one separately. For instance if there are three ground sets then list “ground set #1”, “ground set #2” and “ground set #3”. This prevents a checkmark being placed next to ground sets when only one or two of the sets have been returned.
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NETA Level III
Originally Posted by nagrii
