There are hundreds of specialised tools used on a daily basis at the United Airlines jet engine rebuild and test facility, a 20-acre maintenance and operations center adjacent to San Francisco International Airport. United jets are brought to the facility, where more than 1,400 employees work, to have their engines rebuilt. Here a tool used every day might cost several thousand dollars, and test equipment can cost even more. Each mechanic is provided with the specific tools and test equipment needed for the job at hand; when not in use the tools are kept in locked toolboxes located in assigned areas. The shop uses the integrated Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher® key control system to store keys for the toolboxes and to enable complete control of access to individual keys. An audit trail tracks data regarding who removed any key, when it was taken and when it was returned. “With the KeyWatcher, the tools stay in their designated locations,” said Bob Brown, Senior Specialist for Continuous Improvement at United’s facility. “We know the actual person who is using the tools, and we can hold them accountable. That's why we're not missing anything. They take pride in what they do and everything's there for the next person.”
Controls Put in Place
