Book: Toolcare Chapter: 4 Running the workshop and toolstore Section: Introduction Metadata: Details Buy this book

Proper administration of your toolstore and workshop area, together with their associated activities, is essential. Without proper administration, damaged and missing tools will go unnoticed, volunteers will lose enthusiasm and projects will be difficult to run efficiently.

Your administration should take care of the following: records, security, tidiness, tool cleaning and maintenance, van loading and unloading and volunteer organisation. These topics are discussed further below.

Training in proper tool use in the field should also be a high priority, both for volunteer safety and to reduce damage to tools. Possibly the most common cause of tool breakage is incorrect use, or abuse, and prevention is better than cure. The six points which any user of a tool should know are:

1. The name of the tool.
2. The tool's general purpose.
3. The tool's specific use on the particular project.
4.  How to carry the tool safely.
5.  How to use it safely and correctly.
6. How to put it down safely.

For further information see the booklet Hand Tools ­ a guide for safe use and care (BTCV 1999) and BTCV Leaders' Handbook.

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