Losing Tools on the Jobsite

How can you reduce accidental tool loss?

There are a lot of approaches to curbing tool loss. Rather than review all of the failed attempts at tracking tools, instead, let’s focus on the most productive. After all, it is your dollars at risk here.

The most effective approach uses a combination of quality tracking devices, smartphone technology, and software to manage tools — hands down the most effective way.

Many people assume that the primary loss in a missing tool is the cost of the tool itself. Still, most industry leaders say that you cannot calculate an accurate figure on the financial impact because of the hours of lost productivity spent searching for tools and how difficult that number of hours is to track. Further complications to achieving this number include the fact that many tools are not appropriately inventoried and cannot be accounted for financially for that reason.

Toolwatch conducted a study to determine these costs as an example. They determined that a misplaced $80 grinder ended up costing a construction company $300 because of the time spent looking for the tool and locating another grinder to send to the job site.

Some of the most common ways to track tools and equipment include marking with a permanent marker, creating an Excel spreadsheet of tools, and labels and scanners. These assets all have their issues. Even permanent marker wears off. Excel spreadsheets are labor-intensive to keep up. Older tracking software based on labels and scanners doesn’t provide real-time tracking.

For all of these reasons, the most effective approach uses a combination of quality tracking devices, smartphone technology, and software to manage tools — and do so in a live tracking approach that makes finding tools easy. This technology, in turn, saves money for the company in avoiding missing tools and the lost time it takes to search for or replace them.

The Best Tips for Managing Materials on the Jobsite

When you’re headed out to a job site, managing materials is critical. You want all of your materials to show up at the right time, in the right amounts. You need to inventory them. Sometimes, it may feel as though material management is half of your job! These tips will make managing materials on the job site easier.

Conduct a regular inventory.

Choose the system that works best for you, whether you’re using a mobile app, RFID tags, or bar codes. Keeping track of your inventory on the job site accomplishes many critical things. First, it makes it less likely that materials will go missing–and if they do, you’ll have a better idea of when they disappeared. Second, you’ll be more likely to see exactly what materials were used during each job, making it possible for you to refine your estimates for future projects.

Create a solid schedule.

Whether you’re working with a general contractor or a building owner, it’s important to know the full construction schedule and how you fit into it. Then, you need to create a schedule for your work. You don’t need to leave materials sitting around the job site well before they’ll be needed, especially if you’re working in a high crime area or the site has been targeted for vandalism. On the other hand, failing to have materials delivered at the appropriate time can put you well behind schedule. Check your schedule at the beginning of each week, making sure to account for any delays or for the fact that you’re ahead of schedule to determine what materials and tools need to be on the job site.

Don’t forget your tool inventory!

Because you use them every day, you may not think about how expensive your tools are–and you might miss how vulnerable they are! Tools are expensive, portable, and relatively easy to sell, especially if they aren’t labeled for your business. However, conducting inventory at the beginning and end of every job will let you know immediately if tools go missing. This approach can help prevent thefts and make it less likely that you’ll accidentally leave a tool behind at the job site.

---

For more, read the following: https://mortarnet.com/5-tips-managing-materials-jobsite/

The Best Plan for Storing Materials on Your Worksite

Have an organization system.

You know what tools are on the job site. You know how they need to be used. Now, can you lay your hands on the tools and materials you need when you use them? Instead of simply throwing your tools into a trailer or tossing them in the back of a truck, develop a system that will allow you to quickly pick up the ones you need at any given moment. This system will also make inventory easier, allowing you to go straight to the materials you need instead of fumbling around looking for them.

Check the site plan and make sure it includes proper storage.

Do you have materials or tools that need to be protected from the elements? What about more expensive materials or dangerous ones that need to be locked up at the end of the day? Experienced general contractors will often put together a site map that shows where everything should be located, including that specific storage information. Consult with them about the best place to store your materials on the job site. This approach will also make it easier for you to find tools and materials and ensure that they won’t be moved if you leave for the day before someone else does, making it easier for you to get back to work the next day.

Managing materials on a job site is an ongoing process. Construction sites are often chaotic, filled with people moving everywhere and things that have to be done. Appropriately managing those materials will help give you a sense of confidence and make it easier for you to take care of your part of the job.

---

For more, read the following: https://mortarnet.com/5-tips-managing-materials-jobsite/