Shop Maintenance

Shop/Office · shop-office

A disorganized shop means lost tools, delayed departures, and safety hazards. Equipment gets serviced, repaired, and staged here — treat the space accordingly. The last 15 minutes of every shift belong to cleanup. No exceptions.

Daily Shop Floor Standards

Sweep all bays and work areas during the last 15 minutes of every shift. Clean oil, fuel, and hydraulic fluid spills immediately with absorbent pads or kitty litter — never leave a spill for the next crew. Return all hand tools to their designated pegboard, drawer, or toolbox after every use. Coil extension cords and air hoses properly; leaving them stretched across the floor creates trip hazards.

Empty trash and recycling before they overflow — take full bags to the dumpster, don't stack them by the door. Wipe down workbenches after each job because a cluttered bench leads to lost parts and contaminated repairs. Keep walkways and emergency exits clear at all times. Never block doors, fire extinguishers, or electrical panels with equipment or materials.

Tool Organization & Storage

Every tool has a home. Use shadow boards for frequently used hand tools — the outline shows instantly what's missing. Label all drawers, bins, and shelving so new employees can find any tool without asking. Shared power tools (grinders, drills, saws) go back to the charging station or designated shelf after every use.

Specialty tools and diagnostic equipment stay in locked cabinets. Check them out and return them through the shop manager. Report broken or worn-out tools immediately — tag as out-of-service and place in the repair/replacement bin. Run a weekly tool inventory against the master list and flag anything missing before it becomes a pattern. At season transitions, clean, oil, and properly store off-season tools (snow equipment in summer, mowing equipment in winter).

Bay & Garage Maintenance

Shop bays handle vehicle lifts, equipment repairs, welding, and fabrication. Inspect vehicle lifts monthly — check hydraulic fluid levels, arm pads, and safety locks per manufacturer schedule. Keep bay doors and tracks clean and lubricated; a stuck door delays every truck trying to get in or out.

Maintain adequate lighting in every bay and replace burned-out bulbs immediately, especially over work areas and lifts. Ensure ventilation fans and exhaust systems are operational — never run engines indoors without proper ventilation. Station one fire extinguisher per bay, inspected monthly, recharged annually. Change parts washer fluid on schedule; dirty solvent doesn't clean and creates disposal headaches. Post safety reminders and operating procedures for lifts, jacks, and compressed air systems in each bay.

Checklists

End-of-Shift Shop Checklist

  • All bays swept and floor clear of debris
  • Spills cleaned and absorbent materials disposed of properly
  • Hand tools returned to designated locations
  • Power tools on chargers or stored properly
  • Workbenches wiped down and cleared
  • Trash and recycling emptied
  • Walkways and exits unobstructed
  • Bay doors closed and locked
  • Lights and ventilation turned off (unless overnight charging)
  • Any equipment issues logged on the maintenance board