Tool Control and Calibration Procedure

Purpose. This procedure prevents foreign object damage from lost tools and ensures that measuring and test equipment is calibrated and traceable.

1.Scope

This procedure applies to all hand tools, special tools, ground support equipment and measuring and test equipment at every site, whether company owned, personal or borrowed.

2.Tool accountability

Every tool must be marked with an identifier and stored in a shadow board or foam cut out so that a missing tool is obvious. Personal tool boxes must be inventoried and the inventory kept in the box. Tools must be checked at the end of every task and at every shift change and the check recorded on the task card or shift handover record.

• Marked tools in shadowed storage
• Personal tool box inventories
• Tool check at task end and shift change
• Loan tools signed out and in on the tool board

3.Lost tools

A tool that cannot be accounted for must be reported immediately to the supervisor. The aircraft or component must not be released until the tool is found or a documented search satisfies the supervisor that the tool is not in the aircraft. Every lost tool event must be reported in the Safety and Occurrence Reports system.

4.Calibration

Torque wrenches, pressure gauges, multimeters, pitot static testers, crimp tools and other measuring and test equipment must be calibrated at the interval set in the Tool Control and Calibration Register by an accredited laboratory. Each item must carry a calibration label showing the due date. Equipment past its due date must be withdrawn and tagged.

5.Out of tolerance findings

If calibration finds an item out of tolerance, the Quality and Safety Manager must assess the tasks performed with that item since its last calibration and decide whether any work must be re-inspected.

6.Records

Calibration certificates and the register will be kept by the Base Maintenance Manager and made available to auditors.