Business smarts EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES
There’s good reason why businesses should have a tradesperson tools policy, as Sam Tyson explains.
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while back, one of our tradespeople came to me saying his power drill had broken and to fix it was going to be $1,000, but to replace it would be $1,400, so I should replace it rather than get it fixed. I said, “Hang on a minute… Me replace it? It’s your tool; why should I replace it?” He said, “Because it broke while I was using it on a job, and I won’t be able to work without it.” At the time, we had no clear tradesperson tools policy and it became a standoff situation. I did not feel I should have to pay when the tradesperson was receiving a tool allowance. He felt, because it broke at work and it had worn out because of all the use it got at work, I was responsible for replacing it or at least getting it fixed.
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nzplumber
In our industry it is common practice for tradespeople to provide all or some of their tools of trade. Ideally, these tools should be sufficient to carry out the function of their trade. Good practice would be to have a list in their agreement outlining exactly what tools the employee is required to provide. If the tradesperson is providing tools, my responsibility as the employer is to pay the tradesperson a tool allowance in return. The amount is negotiated in the employment agreement and is dependent on what level of tools they are providing—all or some. It is the tradesperson’s responsibility to maintain and keep the tools they provide in a good, safe condition—replacing or fixing unsafe or broken tools as soon as possible. As I found out, it is really important you have
the responsibilities of both the employer and the employee outlined in a tradesperson tool policy, so there is no argument. As an employer, I also need to ensure the tools the tradesperson provides are safe to use and comply with current safety standards. If a safety incident were to occur due to an unsafe tool, as a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), I would ultimately be responsible, even though the tool was owned by the employee. We have a guy who comes in every six months to test and tag all companyand employee-owned power tools and equipment, but as a safeguard you also need to be regularly inspecting the other tools and equipment employees provide, and making
