Tools inspection checklist

Tools inspection checklist: the purpose of tool inspection is to determine if the tools are operational.  Some tools only require a quick visual check before use. But for some tools that may pose a risk to health and safety, a deeper and more thorough inspection is necessary. Damage could be prevented or repaired at relatively little or no cost today. But without a proper inspection, you can overlook a problem until it worsens and makes repairs more expensive.

Using faulty tools can make problems worse. Documenting your inspections using the verification checklist ensures that you are doing it correctly and that you have checked each piece of the tool. The inspection of tools in construction is an essential process for supervisors and construction workers. A daily inspection ensures that tools used on the job are in good working order. Let's delve into how a tool inspection checklist can be useful:

Why a checklist is important

The basic function of the checklist is to detect dangerous conditions that could lead to accidents before they occur. “Checklists” are formats created to carry out repetitive activities, control compliance with a list of requirements, or collect data in an orderly and systematic manner. They are used to make systematic checks, ensuring that the worker or inspector does not forget anything important. 

The main uses of a checklist are as follows: Visit: OSHA Checklist regulation

• Carrying out activities in which it is important that no steps are forgotten and/or tasks must be done in an established order. 
• Carrying out inspections where a record of which points have been inspected must be recorded.
• Examine or analyze the location of defects. Verify the causes of defects. 
• Collect data for future analysis.

The checklists must be established and include all aspects that may provide data of interest to the organization. A checklist should include a space for observations to obtain prior information on possible reasons that have caused the non-conformity. It is therefore necessary that it be correctly included in the checklist: 

• What has to be controlled and verified?
• What is the criterion for conformity or non-conformity (what is correct and what is incorrect)?
• How often it is inspected: control or checkup frequency?
• Who carries out the verification and what are the applicable procedures?
• Have procedures been followed? 
• Do the tools meet specifications?
• Have the records been completed? 
• And were they calibrated/verified? 

Tools inspection checklist steps by steps

Step1. Define who will prepare it (a suitable person) and why you want to make the checklist.

Step 2. The worker who uses the tool has important experience that should be taken advantage of. Therefore, it is necessary to ask him about the dangers he detects and comment on the risks discovered by whoever is preparing the checklist to get his opinion. 

Step 3. A supervisor is a person who also knows the processes and the difficulties that arise in them, which is why it is necessary to obtain all possible information by asking questions about it.

Step 4. Analyze all the information and describe the items that will make up the checklist. 

Step 5. Establish the format you want to use and make a small instruction manual. It is necessary to have a header where the name of the company, work section, and tool appear (only one per checklist). The checklist must contain at least one consecutive number for the items to be evaluated that is no more than twelve; it must include the description of the item, an evaluation of the same under criteria of acceptable or not acceptable, observations and recommendations and may additionally establish comparative indices between acceptable and unacceptable conditions.

Step 6. Standardize the format to be used and apply it according to the schedule that is established. 

Step 7. Perform periodic feedback. 

What should you look for when inspecting hand tools

Improper use of hand tools poses the possibility of injury. Good practices for using tools are: 

• Selecting the correct tool for the job to be done. 
• Maintenance of tools in good condition. 
• Store tools in a safe and suitable place. 

Hammer

Design criteria: Handle shape It must adapt to the natural gripping posture of the hand. It must be in the shape of a cylinder or a truncated and inverted cone.

Diameter and length of the handle: The diameter of the handle should range between 25 and 40mm and the appropriate length should be about 100mm 

Texture: The most suitable textures will be rough ones. The edges of the tool that do not intervene in the function must be rounded.

Chisels Risks

• Blows and cuts in general. 
• Particle projection. 
• Exposure to Noise generated when hitting Dangerous operations: 
• Using them as a lever or screwdriver 
• Using a chisel with a flattened head, or with a blunt or concave tip. 
• Concave edge.

Screwdrivers Risks

• Cutting 
• Incisions. 
• Blows Dangerous operations: 
• Use them as a chisel, punch, wedge or lever. 
• Carry them in your pocket. 
• Deteriorated handle 
• Bent tip or malformed tip 
• Use of a screwdriver of inappropriate size

Pliers Risks

• Cuts and blows 
• Use them as wrenches to tighten or loosen nuts, bolts or screws. 
• Use them as a hammer. 
• Use the handles as a lever. 
• Nipped or worn jaws 
• Used to tighten or loosen nuts or screws 
• Hitting with the sides 
• Used to cut materials harder than the jaw itself. 
• Use the flat part of the pliers as a hammer 

Files Risks 

• Cutting 
• Use the file as a lever. 
• Use the file as a punch or chisel. 
• Carry it in your pockets. 
• Use it without a handle or with the handle loose. 
• No handle 
• Hit like a hammer

Scissors Risks 

• Cuts and blows 
• Notched or not very sharp blade. 
• Loose connection screws. 
• Use scissors not suitable for cutting wires or metal sheets. 
• Cut curved shapes with straight-cutting scissors. 
• Use protective gloves.

Knives Risks 

Cuts 

• Making cuts in the direction of the body.
• Carry them in your pockets. 
• Use them as a lever, hammer or screwdriver. 
• Leave them in unexpected places. 
• Worn blade 
• Deteriorated handle 
• Placing the hand in an unprotected situation 
• Do not use a protective gloves (cut resistance) 

General Preventive Measures For Tools/Power Tools 

General preventive measures for power tools are:

• Consider the instructions on safe handling provided by the manufacturer with the equipment, keeping them in an accessible place 
• Check that the tool is in good condition and that its consumables (bits, discs, etc.) are perfectly tightened and are appropriate for the task to be performed. 
• Do not use tools that have exposed cables or moving parts. 
• Wear it close to your body or, if you have long hair, wear it up. Do not use bracelets, rings or items that can be dragged by the tool.
• Do not use wet tools, nor should they be used with wet hands or feet. 
• If working in humid or highly conductive areas, special tools with a lower voltage supply of 24 volts or a circuit separator transformer. 
• The power cable must be away from traffic areas. 
• The tool should always be held with both hands. 
• Do not modify the tool and in particular do not use tools without a connection plug. 
• When not using the tool, disconnect it to avoid involuntary start-up. 
• Unplug the tool when making any adjustments and keep the plug visible and close to you. 
• It will not be transported or stored holding it by the power cable. 
• Do not pull the cable to unplug the tool, it must be done by grabbing the plug that connects it to the socket.
• The equipment should be prevented from coming into contact with water. In humid environments, non-conductive elements (rubber boots gloves, etc.) should be used. 
• If during work the power cable is affected, the cable must not be touched, it must be unplugged from the plug. Mark the tool and communicate it for repair. 
• Sockets should not be overloaded. 
• The dead man switch not be blocked for the permanent operation of the tool.
• Before starting the tasks, you must define the Personal Protection Elements to use. 
• In areas classified for risk of fire or explosion and in proximity to flammable products, the protection measures to be applied should be consulted. 
• In the event of possible projections of particles, in addition to protection, it must be analyzed which injuries are possible to other people in the work environment. Likewise, the projection of incandescent particles can be the cause of fires. 
• When using tools fitted with dust collection systems, the manufacturer's instructions must be followed.

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Conclusion

Daily tools inspections encourage workers to take better care of the tools they use. Workers can be negligent and rough with the tools they use. Requiring a documented inspection through a work tool inspection checklist ensures that workers will take responsibility once they use the tools.

Furthermore, psychological science confirms that the more you pay attention to something, the more you take care of it. Daily pre-use inspections make your operators pay more attention and care about the equipment. This will encourage them to handle the equipment more carefully, causing less wear and tear.

Sample hand tools and power tools checklist by muniriyathse (safety zone)