Lock up tools, lock out loss

Jobsite tool storage must offer accessibility and organization with security.

If a jobsite is compared with a bank, the onsite storage box would be the vault. And like a bank, if the vault gets raided, serious money is lost and the jobsite gets shut down until the box is replenished.

“That’s where the costs of a thief comes in. In some cases, the cost of the tools can be small compared with the cost of having workers down because their tools have been stolen,” says Tom Schwalie, senior product manager at Knaack Mfg. Co.

But assuring secure storage on the jobsite takes much more than building a box out of plywood and putting a hasp lock on it. That type of storage cabinet is child’s play for even the most novice of thieves. “Jobsite storage needs to be built to withstand the effects of  crowbar, drill or saw,” says Will Rose, vice president of marketing at Knaack.

Inside jobs
“Work crews share equipment, and while one crew may not be using a particular tool, they assume the other crew is using it. Many of these tools are ‘borrowed’ by employees and never returned to the job. On some jobsites, this is one of the leading causes of jobsite tool loss,” says Schwalie.

While some may view it as impractical, Schwalie says limiting access to company-owned tools or requiring employees to use their own tools can help curb tool “migration” from the jobsite to the employee’s garage. “If you track tools, you send a message to workers that the tools are important. One contractor I have worked with on the West Coast paints all of its tools bright pink. Well-marked tools help get the message across that the tools are an important part of the job,” he says.

Control access
Controlling access is a key way of preventing employee pilferage, says Sam Samsel, director of product marketing and development at Delta Consolidated Industries. “There are tool chests with locking cabinets inside them so only certain users have access to more expensive tools or supplies. The box design can go a long way to helping keep tools and supplies organized and to keep them secure.”

Box selection important
While a storage chest with a chest-style lid may be adequate, a box that has doors or even a drop-down front are a better choice to secure heavy equipment, such as a portable compressor or generator. “A drop-down door allows a wheeled unit to be rolled into storage instead of lifted,” says Rose.

Toolbox manufacturers have added helpful features that offer ways to improve jobsite security and productivity on jobsites. Although onsite storage boxes last a long time, when it comes time to add or replace some units, look at the various options available. The experts recommend investigating the following features:

Portable field stations
These 100-plus cu. ft. boxes combine the features of an office trailer and tool storage. Models usually feature a tip-up lid that offers weather protection for workers using it as a mini-field office and a bottom cabinet area for storage. The tilted work surface makes plan reviewing easier and discourages stacking tools and supplies on the work surface, and the worktop can be lifted to reveal storage space.

Knock-outs for power
Many box styles have a 7/8" knockout that allows power to be wired for extra light or for charging cordless tools or phones.

Casters
Most toolboxes can be equipped with casters, which are fine if you work on relatively clean concrete or other hard surfaces. Generally, 6" casters roll better than 4" casters. But if your the box must be out in the elements, opt for one that can be easily picked up with forks.

Adjustable shelves
If your storage needs change over time, consider units with adjustable shelves that can help organize tools and supplies. Better organization means the equipment stored inside is easier to find and better protected from damage as other tools and supplies are loaded into the chest.

Advanced locking systems
Protecting tools and supplies from theft requires making it extremely difficult to pop the hinge or cut the padlock. New chest models have recessed padlock pockets that protect the lock’s hasp from the tip of bolt cutters. More expensive locks have barrels made with hardened materials that resist drilling. The locking mechanism should also “pin” the lid or door to the sides in  two places for added security.

Clamshell cabinets for
easy access, compact storage
On hard surfaces, clamshell cabinets open up easy-access storage that can be pushed up against the wall. Open or closed, they offer compact, secure storage.

Portability
The last thing you want is a cabinet so easy to move that it makes it easy to steal, but porta­bility is important. Look for sturdy, recessed handles on smaller boxes and the ability to move units with forklifts on larger models.

Easy-open features
If workers will be coming to the toolbox with their hands full, consider boxes that offer easy-open features, such as a latch that allows them to open the door with their foot. A spring-loaded door latch may also encourage workers to keep the door closed when not in use.

Other safety tips
Darkness and remoteness are a thief’s best friends. You will have fewer problems if you store your box in a well-lit, exposed area. A box in high-traffic area under a light will most likely be left alone, but hidden boxes are prime targets,” says Rose.

Finally, look at box construction. “Full-length piano-style hinges and  fully welded boxes made with as few full pieces of heavy-gauge metal as possible improves durability and security,” Samsel concludes.

Published in the May 2004 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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