Apply core land-based engineering principles: tools and equipment

This standard covers the application of core land-based engineering principles: tools and equipment. It includes the identification, selection, maintenance and safe use of hand tools, powered tools and fixed and portable workshop equipment, plus the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to complete activities in land-based engineering.

When working with machinery or equipment you should be trained and hold current    certification, where required, in accordance with the relevant legislation.

When working on high voltage (hazardous voltage/HaV) electric vehicles, de-energising must be done by a person who has been appropriately trained in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedures.

This standard is for those who work in land-based engineering under supervision.

Note – in accordance with current regulations, mains electricity work must be carried out by a competent person, usually an electrician.

1. be aware of the hazards and risks associated with the activity and the location where it is to be carried out
2. be aware of the potential environmental impact associated with the activity and the ways in which this could be controlled
3. select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
4. apply land-based engineering principles to select and use the correct hand tools, power tools, and fixed and portable equipment to carry out the required activity
5. inspect hand tools, power tools, and fixed and portable equipment to establish their condition
6. prepare the tools and equipment by carrying out pre-use checks and actions in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer’s instructions and company practices 
7. identify the correct power source needed for power tools and equipment
8. select and use the required equipment to lift, support and secure machinery while the required activity is completed
9. select and use the relevant equipment to carry out the required measuring tasks
10. use the required tooling and techniques to support, clamp, compress and extract component parts and assemblies
11. select and use special tooling when required
12. maintain tools and equipment in a safe and operational condition in accordance with instructions and specifications
13. inspect and maintain PPE equipment to confirm it is in a serviceable condition 
14. inspect lifting equipment to confirm it is in a serviceable condition in accordance with relevant legal requirements 
15. recharge portable tool power packs according to manufacturer’s instructions
16. leave the workplace in a safe condition following completion of the activity
17. store tools and equipment, including PPE, safely and securely in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company practices 
18. deal with the different types of waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous, caused by the activity, in accordance with instructions and the relevant legal and environmental requirements
19. complete records as required in accordance with company instructions

1. the hazards and risks associated with land-based engineering
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
3. the range of hand tools, power tools and fixed and portable equipment available to undertake activities in land-based engineering and how to select the correct tool or equipment for the activity
4. the techniques required to prepare and use hand tools, power tools and fixed and portable equipment safely 
5. the legislation related to the preparation and use of work equipment (PUWER)
6. the legislation related to the use and testing of lifting equipment (LOLER)
7. how to identify different power sources for power tools
8. how to isolate mains electrical equipment
9. how to use equipment to lift, support and secure machinery while the required activity is completed
10. how to cut and restore threads, extract broken studs and remove seized fixings
11. the techniques used to clamp, hold and secure materials and components while engineering tasks are carried out
12. how to identify when special tooling is required and the range of special tools available
13. the maintenance requirements for hand tools, power tools and fixed and portable equipment
14. the importance of inspecting and maintaining PPE to confirm that it is in a serviceable condition 
15. how to charge portable tool power packs
16. the importance of leaving the workplace in a safe condition following completion of the activity
17. how tools, equipment and PPE should be stored
18. how to deal with the different types of waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous, caused by the activity, in accordance with instructions and the relevant legal and environmental requirements
19. the potential impact that the activity could have on the environment and the ways in which this can be controlled
20. the records that need to be completed and the company procedure for these

• fixed and portable equipment - e.g. presses, powered saws, jacks, axle stands, battery
• chargers, air compressors, dynamometer or injector testers
• hand tools - e.g. files, chisels, punches, pullers, taps and dies, drill bits, reamers, clamps, spanners, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, cutters and snips, measuring and marking equipment, gauges and extractors

• instructions and specifications:

  • drawings/plans
  • schedules
  • method statements
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • manufacturer’s instructions
  • customer requirements
  • verbal instructions

• lifting equipment - e.g. jacks, engine cranes, lifting platforms, gantries maintain tools- e.g. sharpen, store, clean, de-burr

• measuring equipment - e.g. dial test indicator, vernier calipers, micrometer, feeler gauges, thermometer, tachometer, multi-meter, dynamometer, hydrometer, torque wrench and rolling resistance gauges
• power supplies - e.g. single phase, 3 phase, portable power packs, compressed air
• power tools - includes both electrical and air tools e.g. drills, grinders, air tools, heat guns
• protective equipment - e.g. masks, goggles, screens, guards, face masks
• special tooling - e.g. pullers, presses, seal protectors, guide studs, placement and centering dollies, splitting rails and trolleys
• tasks - e.g. cutting, sawing, shaping, measuring, marking, fitting, removing, testing, holding, drilling, lifting, thread cutting and stud extraction
• tooling and techniques - e.g. stands, clamps, vices, pullers, slide hammers, presses, spring compressors