When updating your maintenance procedures, make sure all new materials and tools are added into the material and tool lists. It’s frustrating for field workers to get a task partially complete, and realize that the gasket sent out as part of the work package is no longer used for the equipment. Perhaps the company has switched to a new supplier for bolts. If they are specialty bolts, will the wrenches in the tool list still fit the bolt head?
An inappropriate tool is a safety risk. If the wrench doesn’t fit properly on the new bolt head, it can slip and hit the user in the face. Now there’s two risks for the business. Lost time for exchanging materials and tools, or risk of injury to a worker.
Over the course of a year, these small inefficiencies cost the company a lot of money; additional time for work processes and/or lost time for injured workers. Make sure that company procedures are reviewed regularly to catch outdated materials and tools.
