Let’s actually take a look inside the toolbox to see what we might find. Is there a box of horrors waiting for us when we reach in? Do they contain accidents waiting to happen? Might you find something like THIS….?
Sharp-Edged Tools: Yikes—a box cutter with the blade open! You could be reaching in to find something in the bottom—and coming out with a badly cut hand.
Frayed Power Cords: Oops, the drill’s power cord pulled loose from the housing. You were in too much of a hurry to fix it—but an electrical shock might slow you down!
Scratched Safety Glasses: Someone just threw them in with all of the other junk. The lenses are all scratched and dirty. Probably can’t see a thing with them…probably won’t wear them. Probably taking a big risk!
Dirty Respirator: Looks like this spare respirator wasn’t put in its protective container. It’s covered with some kind of white powdery stuff…stinks, and the filters are all crushed. I was going to use that today because I left mine at home. S ’pose it’ll do?
Misused Tools: I see a couple of screwdrivers with the handles and ends all beat up. Looks like someone has been using them as chisels. Could I remove screws with these today without busting my knuckles?
Damaged Head Protection: Several of the hardhats here have torn suspension systems, and one hardhat is slightly cracked. Who wants to use these today? Someone with a really hard head?
Ruined Footwear: Yesterday I was in a hurry and I just threw my rubber boots in the box. Someone else threw a bunch of sharp stuff on top of them and they are all cut up. Looks like I’ll have wet feet today.
Sharp Wires, Rusty Nails, Cracked Tools….? Any of these in your techs’ toolboxes???
IF YOUR TECHS CHOOSE to use a broken tool or piece of safety equipment that doesn’t provide adequate protection, they might not be at work tomorrow. They might be convalescing at home or in the hospital. Or worse yet, they may contribute to the injury of one of your fellow techs.
WHY NOT CLEAN IT UP? If you find that the box is a mess, the tools are in terrible shape, or “I wouldn’t wear that,” then tell your techs to take a few moments and get things right. Red tag defective tools or turn them in for repair. Replace broken or unusable safety equipment. Make their toolbox a SAFE one. Let it reflect that Professional Attitude you take pride in.
Your techs look at themselves as professionals. They take pride in the work they do. They should have the same pride in their tools.