Empoyees tools what should i supply

[simonland]

Hi i am an employer with 1 employee i was wandering what everyone else does with supplying power tools and hand tools i spoke to a few others who have told me to supply van and sundry items drill bits ect only they are responsible to bring own hand tools,drills that are used everyday ect anything not used everyday i supply, it seems i am forever buying new tools ect whats everyones thoughts

 

[Pete999]

Hi i am an employer with 1 employee i was wandering what everyone else does with supplying power tools and hand tools i spoke to a few others who have told me to supply van and sundry items drill bits ect only they are responsible to bring own hand tools,drills that are used everyday ect anything not used everyday i supply, it seems i am forever buying new tools ect whats everyones thoughts

You should supply PPE and consumables I think

 

[Octopus]

Depends on what you agreed to supply in the offer of employment .....

 

[telectrix]

as above, but also power tools should be provided , maybe the employee should have his/her own combi and cordless SDS drills, but heavier power tools should be provided by you.

 

[Dannyg8810]

Employees should have there own hand tools and everywhere iv worked you get a 18v combo drill,sds cordless, and ppe etc.......

 

[simonland]

I took over the company 3 years ago with him as an apprentice i have so far supplied all tools to him as i think u need the tools to do the job but it seems to be costing aĺl the time so there is no real contract of empoyment with regards to tools

 

[Pete999]

I took over the company 3 years ago with him as an apprentice i have so far supplied all tools to him as i think u need the tools to do the job but it seems to be costing aĺl the time so there is no real contract of empoyment with regards to tools

Unless the person you are supplying tools to, is the sort of person who respects what you are doing for him/her, they will abuse the tools yous supply, won't be worried about losing them, knowing full well, yes you will give them a hard time for losing the tools, you will replace them at your cost.
Hand tools small drill drivers should be their own purchase, as someone else has pointed out. But also it depends on what has been agreed at the time of employing them.

 

[telectrix]

as i said. expect the guy to have his own cordless drills. he'll look after them batter if he's had to open his wallet. but things like 110V grinders, chop saws, core drills, etc. should be provided by you. might be an idea to look at the cheaper ranges like Titan, AEG, Erbauer, etc. if you want to keep the expense down.

 

[Toneyz]

It will depend upon how long until him/her stops being an apprentice ? if they are a making of a good electrician and will stay with the company for the sake of a year carry on as you are. But as Pete and Tell posted above is good advice.

 

[LankyWill]

He/She/It should supply their own personal hand tools and basic power tools i.e. Impact, Combi, Sds and more importantly Radio! The larger kit, 110v based and tester should be provided by you. All sundries and drill bits are your remit also. If they abuse it tell them they replace it or dock wages etc. Don't let them take you for a ride, there is no loyalty in this game.

 

[Pete999]

He/She/It should supply their own personal hand tools and basic power tools i.e. Impact, Combi, Sds and more importantly Radio! The larger kit, 110v based and tester should be provided by you. All sundries and drill bits are your remit also. If they abuse it tell them they replace it or dock wages etc. Don't let them take you for a ride, there is no loyalty in this game.

Don't get me wrong Will I agree with you, but is it not illegal to withhold money from peoples wage packets?

 

[westward10]

You are legally required to supply appropriate PPE and there is a sound argument that voltage insulated hand tools could fall under this banner.

 

[ruston]

@Pete999 - Yes I think it is , but I get the gist.

If you have a varied or specialist job company you cannot expect your employee to buy all the equipment required, but for all my years all trades have supplied their own hand tools as part of that trade.

 

[Pete999]

You are legally required to supply appropriate PPE and there is a sound argument that voltage insulated hand tools could fall under this banner.

Sorry Westy got to disagree the last part of your post regarding hand tools, unless you work for a large employer like I did, the employee should provide his/her hand tools. many ot the hand tools I was provided with were sub standard, not fit for purpose, most of us would provide our own.

 

[ruston]

I agree that if you need specialist equipment ; ie to work live , it should be supplied.

 

[Pete999]

I agree that if you need specialist equipment ; ie to work live , it should be supplied.

Working Live tut tut

 

[Pete999]

I agree that if you need specialist equipment ; ie to work live , it should be supplied.

Working Live tut tut Think the HSE might choke if something happened to an employee of yours, with tools you provide, for Working Live.

 

[telectrix]

can't very well work if i'm dead.

 

[westward10]

Sorry Westy got to disagree the last part of your post regarding hand tools, unless you work for a large employer like I did, the employee should provide his/her hand tools. many ot the hand tools I was provided with were sub standard, not fit for purpose, most of us would provide our own.

Size of the employer is irrelevant, if hand tools are required which provide voltage protection it could be argued they provide Personal Protection.

 

[Pete999]

Size of the employer is irrelevant, if hand tools are required which provide voltage protection it could be argued they provide Personal Protection.

So on that remit Westy, you would also provide, work clothes excluding boots, all insulated tools, pliers, cutters etc?

 

[Leader]

So on that remit Westy, you would also provide, work clothes excluding boots, all insulated tools, pliers, cutters etc?

I'm going to work for Westy

 

[Pete999]

I'm going to work for Westy

Would have saved me a fortune.

 

[telectrix]

i remember the last time employers provided power tools. for drilling masonry, we were supplied with DIY Bosch hammer drills, 400watts. on a par with EU directive for useless vacuum cleaners ). ( not even SDS . used to scream away for ages trying to make even a 6mm hole in hard brick. no bloody wonder i'm almost deaf.

 

[Pete999]

i remember the last time employers provided power tools. for drilling masonry, we were supplied with DIY Bosch hammer drills, 400watts. on a par with EU directive for useless vacuum cleaners ). ( not even SDS . used to scream away for ages trying to make even a 6mm hole in hard brick. no bloody wonder i'm almost deaf.

That reminds me I have have hearing aids fitted in October, for not wearing ear defenders, my own fault, a warning to all those hard men who think wearing PPE is sissy.

 

[telectrix]

some while ago there was an ad on the radio saying we could get compo for this. might be worth a follow up.

 

[Pete999]

some while ago there was an ad on the radio saying we could get compo for this. might be worth a follow up.

I will thanks, although actually proving it may be difficult

 

[telectrix]

i got hearing aids over a year ago. uncomfortable, fiddly, need to change batteries every 3 days, and the worst bit is i can hear 'er indoors when i don't want to.

 

[westward10]

So on that remit Westy, you would also provide, work clothes excluding boots, all insulated tools, pliers, cutters etc?

I have always purchased my own, as you say you buy the quality you want. I was only throwing a valid argument into the mix.

 

[Pete999]

i got hearing aids over a year ago. uncomfortable, fiddly, need to change batteries every 3 days, and the worst bit is i can hear 'er indoors when i don't want to.

Yes, that worries me as well, no more sorry Luv didn't hear you.

 

[Midwest]

Hearing loss compensation; Where there's blame there's a claim Solicitors, no win no fee. There're the ones who keep ringing me up every 5 minutes, can't hear a word there're saying?

 

[Pete999]

Hearing loss compensation; Where there's blame there's a claim Solicitors, no win no fee. There're the ones who keep ringing me up every 5 minutes, can't hear a word there're saying?

Get a hearing aid Middy

 

[Midwest]

Get a hearing aid Middy

What?

 

[Pete999]

Hearing loss compensation; Where there's blame there's a claim Solicitors, no win no fee. There're the ones who keep ringing me up every 5 minutes, can't hear a word there're saying?

Get a hearing aid Middy

What?

You heard

 

[Pete999]

Hearing loss compensation; Where there's blame there's a claim Solicitors, no win no fee. There're the ones who keep ringing me up every 5 minutes, can't hear a word there're saying?

Get a hearing aid Middy

 

[Midwest]

Might be a bit Mutt & Jeff, but I'm not blind

 

[Pete999]

Might be a bit Mutt & Jeff, but I'm not blind

Get some glasses then you deaf mut, sorry get a hearing aid you blind gut, that's it I'm off you you hear me, sorry you're blind aren't you?

 

[Midwest]

Think I'll offer you £20 for that last post. Bet your heard that

 

[Pete999]

Think I'll offer you £20 for that last post. Bet your heard that

What this one?

 

[davesparks]

So on that remit Westy, you would also provide, work clothes excluding boots, all insulated tools, pliers, cutters etc?

I think you've missed the point. If insulated tools are actually required for working live then the company should be providing them as they are part of the PPE required for the job.
The first example that springs to mind is the DNOs, they provide all tools for their employees carrying out live work.

Normally insulated tools are not necessary for an electrician, and in fact using them for general everyday work can render them unsuitable for live working due to the wear and tear on them.

 

[Pete999]

I think you've missed the point. If insulated tools are actually required for working live then the company should be providing them as they are part of the PPE required for the job.
The first example that springs to mind is the DNOs, they provide all tools for their employees carrying out live work.

Normally insulated tools are not necessary for an electrician, and in fact using them for general everyday work can render them unsuitable for live working due to the wear and tear on them.

Dave, I haven't missed the point, yes if the job like a DNO tech requires specialist for his job then yes of course the firm, company should provide them specifically for that purpose.
I thought the OP had suggested that insulated tools, the type that most Electricians have in their tool kit, should be provided, this what and why I disagreed with him, we are all aware, or should be by now that we shouldn't work live.
The scenario that you have put forward, I totally agree with, as an AP HV and LV I was issued with a specialised tool kit, solely for AP duties, which is similar to what you have suggested, however I still disagree with providing Electricians doing run of the mill Electrical work with hand tools, there would be the never ending costs of replacing tools, and as we all know, most tradesmen prefer their own personal tools.
Rant (not much of one admitted) over

 

[Midwest]

What this one?

There's no sound track!

 

[Pete999]

There's no sound track!

I'll try and find a signing version, sorry you're blind and all

 

[Phil Thompson]

I always supplied my own hand tools as did everyone I went to college with and worked alongside, bosses supplied everything else.

I've a lad starting on Tuesday and that's how it will be with him.

 

[nunthe wiser]

Hand tools looked after and used properly last forever, I go through screwdrivers because I'll use them for prying and bashing. My choice my responsibility. Power tools have to pay for themselves over the course of their life, a certain amount on every job allocated for paying and replacing of power tools. Employers nowadays won't supply anything, i supply my own gear, like saws sds etc because I don't like begging off the next guy. But employers have come to expect the employee to supply without a suitable rise in wages to cover tooling. While taking profit from the work done. Not a rant, just how I see it nowadays.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Employer should provide van, SDS drill and PPE. Employee should provide combi drill, impact etc (Get a quality kit with jigsaw, grinder etc in for about £700), own hand tools, own rods, Hoover etc.

In my opinion and that's what I own/ was given

 

[Phil Thompson]

Aye, if you're a subby you'd supply all those power tools, not if PAYE, hand tools only for paye.

 

[Dave OCD]

I'm going to work for Westy

Good idea, you'll be supplied with copious amounts of 2mm earth sleeving as well.

 

[UKMeterman]

One solution might be if the employee is good in other respects is to get a list written down once of what she / he wants, buy it in and if it is breaks then has to be be demonstrated as duff to you. When the employee leaves at end of contract, deduct at list cost any company items not returned. All power tools issued to a named member of staff. You could ask why they are going missing and ask if he wants a new tool box with padlock.

 

[Leader]

Good idea, you'll be supplied with copious amounts of 2mm earth sleeving as well.

I already have 100m but you can never have too much

 

[davesparks]

I have only been cards in with the company where I served my apprenticeship, and they were a very old fashioned company. We bought our own basic hand tools, all power tools and specialist tools were supplied by the company.