A power tool inspection is the short check a worker or supervisor makes before tools go to work: is the cord whole, is the guard there and moving, does the trigger let go, is the chisel head mushroomed, is the hammer handle split. This checklist covers the area and the supply first, then the people, then each tool in its own entry, with only the checks that fit that kind of tool. Anything that fails is tagged out with a number you can trace. Fill it in here and download a PDF without creating an account, or speak while you walk, and the document writes itself.
Why check tools before every use
Most tool injuries do not come from rare failures. They come from damage that was visible that morning: a cord nicked by a door and taped over, a grinder guard swung out of the way and never swung back, a cracked cutting disc, a loose hammer head. A pre-use check takes a minute per tool and catches exactly that kind of damage.
It also gives the crew a clear rule for what happens next. A tool that fails comes out of service there and then, gets a tag, and goes somewhere it cannot be picked up by the next person who needs a drill.
One entry per tool, with the checks that fit
Paper checklists usually ask "are cords undamaged?" once for the whole kit. That answer cannot tell you which of six saws had the bad cord. Here every tool is its own entry: name it, give its asset or serial number, and pick its type.
The type decides the questions. A corded tool is asked about its cord, plug and ground pin; a cordless tool about its battery and charger contacts; an air tool about its hose, couplings and whip check; a fuel-powered tool about leaks; a hand tool about its striking face, edge and handle. Every powered tool gets the guard, switch, accessory and test-run checks.
The supply and the area matter as much as the tool
A perfect saw plugged into an unprotected outlet through a crushed extension cord is still a shock hazard. The first section checks GFCI protection, the condition and routing of extension cords, any air supply, standing water, lighting, and whether people nearby are outside the reach of flying chips and sparks.
Where the work could release a flammable vapor or dust, the form asks whether non-sparking tools are being used. Where tools cut concrete, brick or stone, it asks about dust control, because silica dust is a hazard of its own.
What happens to a tool that fails
Each tool ends with an outcome: back in service, tagged out for repair, or tagged out to be scrapped, with the tag number. A failed check becomes a finding in the report's summary, named by tool, so the person who orders repairs or replacements has a list rather than a count.
Add a corrective action for anything that needs someone else, such as a new cord set, a replacement guard, or more GFCI adapters for the site.
Common questions
Who should inspect hand and power tools?
The person about to use the tool should check it every time before use. A supervisor or competent person usually also inspects the site's tools on a regular schedule, often weekly or quarterly, and records it on a form like this one.
How often should power tools be inspected?
Before each use, by the operator, plus a recorded inspection on a fixed schedule. Many US sites use a quarterly color-code program for cords and tools; follow your employer's and site's rules, and the tool maker's instructions.
What should I do with a damaged tool?
Stop using it, unplug it or remove the battery or air line, attach a do-not-use tag, and put it where nobody else will pick it up. Record it here as tagged out, with the tag number and what is wrong.
Can I repair a damaged cord with electrical tape?
Tape is not an acceptable repair for a damaged cord on a jobsite tool. The cord should be replaced, or the tool taken out of service, by someone qualified to do it.
Does the checklist cover hand tools as well as power tools?
Yes. Choose "Hand tool" as the type and the entry asks about the handle, the striking face or cutting edge, the jaws or grip, and sharp-edge protection instead of cords and guards.