Thanks to everyone that responded to my post “Do we hold members accountable for damage in the wood shop?” I have reviewed 50+ comments/ideas from this thread along with 200+ comments from “Joy of Maintaining the Woodshop”. There were a lot of good ideas generated. I have created a summary of the ideas put forth to solve the problem of damage to DMS tools (see list below). I don’t think there is one single solution to this problem. We will likely need a few solutions.
The Goal: Reduce the number of incidents of damage to DMS tools in the Woodshop while making it easy and not too onerous to learn how to use tools properly.
If we achieve this goal, we should reduce repair costs, reduce tool downtime and (hopefully) retain and attract more members.
Next Steps: I recommend that the list of ideas below be reviewed at the next Woodshop Committee meeting where each idea can be accepted, rejected or modified. Then volunteers need to be found to coordinate and fulfill each accepted idea. Ultimately, it is up to the Woodshop Committee to pick and prioritize the combination of ideas that it believes will be most effective in achieving the above goal. Of course, without volunteers to take them on, the ideas will not be developed or implemented.
Note this is NOT a recommendation to implement anything – it is a list of things that could be done. I believe the Woodshop Committee has the final say in what gets implemented.
Idea 1: Develop accountability standards. Clearly define consequences for classes of actions that damage tools. This should include not just damage but also cleanliness. A communication plan should be part of this effort (publish online, make the list part of training and/or post in the shop). We have a list of do’s and don’t’s, but consequences are not clear (at least to me).
Examples of accountability standards: if you use a machine in a way that clearly violates DMS standards (such as end grain in the planer, using a pad sander without sandpaper, etc…) the consequences are…. TBD.
If you do not clean up….
If you leave tools out ….
If you do not report damage …
Details to be worked out by a subcommittee dedicated to this idea. If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this idea on and make a detailed recommendation?
Idea 2: Develop a disciplinary process for violators of accountability standards. For each incident of damage or inappropriate use, develop a process to review the incident (video, RFID tags, etc) determine if a violation of standards occurred and recommend action (payment, retraining, ban, community service etc).
Key is to have checks and balances. Maybe have the disciplinary committee forward a recommendation to the woodshop chair who implements the action or forwards to BOD for action. Appeals would go to the BOD. Another key is to make this as easy/simple as possible on whoever runs the process. Reviewing video and rfid logs is time consuming.
Details to be worked out by a sub-committee dedicated to this idea. Once the process is developed it will have to be staffed by volunteers. If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this idea on and make a recommendation?
Idea 3: Create a helpdesk (either: Shop stewards, subject matter experts or some type of Mentor program). Create a recommendation for an “ask an expert” helpdesk. Find a way to provide guidance to new (and experienced) woodworkers. Figure out how to staff with volunteers. The challenge to developing this idea is finding the right people to staff it. Not everyone knows every tool. Creating a schedule and filling the schedule will be difficult. What, if any, is the legal liability of the person giving advice?
If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this idea on and make a recommendation?
Idea 4: Improve and standardize signage in the Woodshop. Review current signage for content and visual impact. Some machines have lots of signs. Some have none. Not everyone reads signs – but at least of we have one and if/when someone violates what is on the sign. We have a clear case to make disciplinary action. The challenge to developing this idea is that there is a trade off of the amount of information, sign size and font size. If there is too much information then no one reads, too little and the impact is not as great.
If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this on?
Idea 5: Raise awareness by documenting tool damage and how to avoid (top 10)
Create a lessons learned page on the wiki or talk. Update on a regular basis.
If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this on?
Idea 6: Shop Training Videos. Mark has started this (Felder is done!). Not sure how many more he is planning on creating or how much help he wants/needs.
Idea 7: Add testing to training. Create a test that requires users to review DMS standards (See idea 1) and machine manuals to demonstrate that they know how to properly use a tool. May want to enforce an annual retaking of test. Figure out how to administer and grade.
If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this on?
Idea 8: RFID on more tools. There is a trade-off of cost of RFID readers and effectiveness. I believe this is already being looked into.
Idea 9: Update/upgrade training content. Review current training curriculum. Look at it holistically. Are we covering everything that needs to be covered? Once again there is a tradeoff of information vs effectiveness. How much can a woodworker absorb? Do you teach every rule or do you teach where to find the rules? Do we teach how to think through what you are about to do with a shop tool. If so, how?
If this is accepted by the Woodshop Committee as worthwhile, who is willing to take this on?
Idea 10: Maintenance lists. It has been suggested that part of the problem of tool damage is a lack of regular maintenance. A list of all maintenance items with a recommended frequency for each tool may help. I am working on this. A second (and hopefully final) draft should be done in time for the March woodshop clean up day.
Any other ideas?