Tool control, as a key part of maintenance, plays an important role in our careers. At times it may seem menial, or time-
consuming, but those precious minutes spent checking out tools or doing a quick inspection on our tool box can save a person
or an aircraft's life. The tool control program can be followed by using 3 simple principles, be organized, follow standard safety precautions, and follow proper maintenance procedures. Accidents are bound to happen upon occasion, but by following the tool control program, accidents, or mishaps, can be greatly reduced. Examples of common causes of mishaps would be human error, maintenance malpractice, and miscommunications.
There are many different variations of tools and multiple ways of tool control. Some of the ways are log books where the
tools are signed out of a tool room or a tool box. Also inventorying the tools in the tool room and tool boxes is a good way
to find out what tool is either missing or broken. Keeping track of who uses the tools is also important so every tool is
accounted for. All hands are responsible for accounting for tools, so no one person is entirely in charge of the tool
program.
Tool control procedures are intended to prevent tools from being inadvertently left adrift, and to prevent being stolen by people. Common hand tools should be stored in shadowed tool boxes. This will allow an easier effort to be made to keep accountability and accuracy of tools issued. All tool boxes shall be inventoried at regular intervals before, during and after evolutions. Special tools are those that are designed and manufactured to be used in a specific application. They are used only by the group responsible for the application. Special tools shall be stored in a tool room. These tools should be only signed out to authorized personnel by the appropriate personnel.
To help with tool control the use of trays or drawers with pre-cut slots for the tools are placed inside tool boxes....