The right industrial maintenance tool list can boost your productivity and make maintenance tasks more manageable. They also help you tap into the “mechanical advantage,” reducing workplace injuries and promoting a safer workplace.
Whether you are maintaining or repairing heavy plant and equipment, conducting inspections and periodic maintenance, or simply cleaning and tidying your Lean workplace, having the right tools for the job is essential.
Let’s look at some of the basic tools used in maintenance applications, common industrial maintenance tasks, and the types of jobs that need a good tool set to get maintenance done efficiently and effectively.
Your Basic Industrial Maintenance Tool List
To begin taking on your maintenance tasks, you’ll need the right tools for the job. When building your maintenance toolkit, look for the best quality tools that suit your budget. A maintenance tool starter kit might include hand and power tools from the list below in both metric and imperial (SAE) sizes.
The Tools
- Calipers
- Chisels
- Clamps
- Feeler Gauge
- Hacksaws
- Hand Tools like Hammers, Mallets, Pliers, and Side Cutters
- Nut Drivers
- Power Tools such as Drills, Grinders, and Saws
- Pry Bars
- Various Flat and Philips Head Screwdrivers
- Ratchet and Socket Set including Hex Sockets and a Socket Wrench
- Wire Strippers
- Wrench Set including Adjustable Wrenches, Pipe Wrenches, Combination Wrenches, and Allen Wrenches
- And, of course, any tools specific to your role, such as Refrigerant Manifolds and Gauges for HVAC technicians.
Don’t forget a large, sturdy tool bag to store your toolset. Look for a tool bag with plenty of internal and external pockets and sections to organize your maintenance tools in an easy-to-access way.
You’ll also need the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform your maintenance tasks safely.
At a minimum, your PPE kit should include eye protection, earplugs or earmuffs, sturdy gloves, and steel-toed boots. Always check with your company’s OHS officer about the specific safety equipment required for your role, or refer to OHSA regulations.
Furthermore, you may need to conduct a hazard assessment on the maintenance tasks you plan to carry out. Also, suppose you have documented procedures for the process. In this case, the checklist or task steps should include potential safety risks and the activities technicians must perform to mitigate these risks.
Preventative maintenance apps are the gold standard for running an efficient operation. However, many companies still use manual methods like reporting the issue in person or making notes on a whiteboard or clipboard.
Whatever method you use to identify and report problems with your equipment, more than a few maintenance problems are common in almost every industry or business.
The efficiency of maintenance and repair management is a key issue for the majority of industrial enterprises.
Deloitte
Common Industrial Maintenance Tasks and Problems
- Seized, rusted, or stripped nuts, bolts, and screws
- Incorrectly sized parts or incorrect measurements
- Poor lubrication or incorrect oils leading to equipment seizure
- All types of leaks: air, steam, refrigerant, oil, and hydraulic fluid
- Electrical faults and malfunctions
- Loose or corroded components or wires
- Pressure issues with pumps, water, and hydraulics
- HVAC maintenance problems: blocked filters and ducts, dirty coils, clogged condensers, and iced-up evaporators
- Compressor pressure fluctuations and high discharge temperatures
- Bearing damage and wear
Which Employees Use Maintenance Tools?
Maintaining equipment and keeping your facility in good working order encompasses many organizational roles.
Team members in repair, production, manufacturing, fabrication, and facilities maintenance jobs all use specific industrial maintenance tools to carry out their tasks.
Maintenance Technicians
Maintenance Techs are responsible for repairing and maintaining equipment, vehicles, and assets; helping to install and commission new plants; and looking after tools and equipment.
Facilities Management Teams
Facilities Management professionals maintain and repair heating, ventilation, AC (HVAC) systems, electrical equipment, lighting, and plumbing systems.
Diesel Mechanics
Diesel mechanics inspect, repair, and service vehicles and machinery, including cars, buses, trucks, and earthmoving equipment.
Machinists, Fitters, Die Makers, and CNC Operators
A machinist uses tools such as lathes, grinders, and mills to shape, form, fit, and assemble different equipment components. In addition, they may make individual parts from scratch and adjust and repair machine parts.
Cleaners and Custodians
Custodians clean and maintain the workplace using equipment such as floor cleaners and floor waxing machines. They may be required to perform routine maintenance on the equipment they use.
How Are Maintenance Issues Detected and Reported?
Innovative businesses report, track, and sign off on issues using online software that makes it easy to know the status of any tasks or repairs.
Preventative maintenance apps are the gold standard for running an efficient operation. However, many companies still use manual methods like reporting the issue in person or making notes on a whiteboard or clipboard.
Whatever method you use to identify and report problems with your equipment, a few maintenance problems are common in almost every industry or business.
Online Tools to Make Maintenance Easier
In addition to your well-stocked maintenance tool kit, there are plenty of online apps and tools you can use to expedite maintenance and repair tasks.
Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) such as MaintainX provide a simple and easy-to-follow framework to help maintenance teams, supervisors, and external contractors stay informed of what needs to be done, when, and by whom. In addition, a standardized online maintenance procedure library means tasks are always completed in the same way each time.
With a robust CMMS, work orders for repairs and maintenance can be scheduled and assigned easily.
Ready to get started using your industrial maintenance tool kit on your work orders? Check out MaintainX.
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Caroline Eisner
Caroline Eisner is a writer and editor with experience across the profit and nonprofit sectors, government, education, and financial organizations. She has held leadership positions in K16 institutions and has led large-scale digital projects, interactive websites, and a business writing consultancy.
