Tool Barn Guidelines

Find important guidelines to read before requesting equipment from the Tool Barn.

State agencies, who participate in the Tool Barn Program, (Participants) agree to abide by the following rules: Scope

1. Borrowed equipment will only be used for government related business.
2. Borrowed equipment will not be used for any illegal, business, or personal activities.
3. Participants cannot share the equipment, while in its possession, with other agencies.

 

Equipment Pick Up and Return of Equipment

1. DCAMM’s Central Region staff will manage scheduling of equipment.
2. Equipment will be loaned out for up to 2 weeks (fourteen calendar days).  This period may be extended if available.
3. The Tool Barn is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Participants can pick up equipment on the approved scheduled pick up day from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Equipment must be returned by 12:00 PM on the assigned scheduled return day.
4. When Participants are conveying equipment, Participants must supply appropriate transport. DCAMM will determine if transport is sufficient and safe for said equipment.
5. When picking up equipment, DCAMM staff and Participants will inspect the equipment and prepare a Sign Out & Inspection Form.  The form will include a description of the equipment, and its condition. Upon return of equipment, DCAMM Staff and Participant will conduct another inspection of the equipment assessing its condition and complete the Sign Out & Inspection Form.
6. Failure to return borrowed equipment in the agreed upon time may result in suspension or denial of future participation in this program.
7. Participants will request tool barn equipment from the Tool Barn section of the DCAMM website to schedule pick up or return of equipment.   If any of the following occur: to report a reservation cancellation; to report an inability to return borrowed equipment on time; to report damage or an accident, please contact the Central Region Office directly at 978-365-7352 and by e-mail ([e-mail])

 

Training

1. DCAMM will arrange to have manufacturers or vendors provide operational and safety training on each piece of equipment. Training will occur at the DCAMM’s Central Region Office in Lancaster, MA. Equipment vendors will also provide train-the- trainer liaison to DCAMM staff. DCAMM will in turn train Participants accordingly.
2. Participants will send all staff that will be using/operating borrowed equipment to training sessions.
3. DCAMM will maintain a list of “trained staff” by agency on file at the DCAMM’s Central Region Office. Only those staff members will be allowed to borrow/use available equipment. Any equipment requiring a special license can only be used by staff possessing said license.
4. Participants will not allow any untrained staff (staff not trained by DCAMM) to use available equipment. Violation of this rule may result in denial of access to the equipment.

 

Use

1. Participants will review the equipment Owner’s Manual with all staff that will be using/operating the borrowed equipment.  DCAMM will provide a copy of the Owner’s Manual with each piece of borrowed equipment.
2. Participants will provide all staff who will be using/operating the borrowed equipment with the personal protective equipment required for the equipment (i.e. safety glasses, face shields, cut-resistant chaps, hearing protection, gloves, etc.).  A list of required personal protective equipment can be obtained by review of the Owner’s Manual and the participant’s job hazard analysis.
3. Participants will follow all operational guidelines, industry standards, and safety procedures, recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards when using tool barn equipment.
4. Participants will provide all staff that will be using/operating the borrowed equipment with adequate supervision to ensure safe use of the equipment.

 

Liability

1. Participants will take reasonable care of borrowed equipment. Participants will not be liable for normal wear and tear of equipment.
2. Participants will not be responsible for preventative maintenance services on equipment.
3. Participants will be required to replace any fuel, such as diesel fuel or gasoline, used in the operation of the borrowed equipment prior to returning it. Fuel tank will be full at pick up. Participants will return equipment with a full fuel tank.
4. Participant will receive all battery-operated equipment fully charged and should return the borrowed equipment back to the Tool Barn in the same manner (fully charged).  Participant will be provided spare batteries and chargers, if needed. These additional items must all be returned with the borrowed battery operated equipment.
5. Participants will be responsible for replacing any consumable part of the equipment borrowed (such as blades, cartridges, etc.) that is damaged due to negligence, abuse or improper use.
6. Participants will properly, securely, and safety store equipment during off hours and overnight while in Participants’ possession.
7. Participants will be liable for damage to equipment as a result of negligence, abuse and/or improper use of the borrowed equipment while in its possession.  Negligence, abuse and/or improper use includes, but is not limited to the following: a) damage resulting from lack of lubrication, insertion of improper fuel or failure to maintain necessary oil, water and air pressure levels; b) damage resulting from any collision, overturning or improper operation including overloading or exceeding the rated capacity of the equipment; c) damage in the nature of dents, bending, tearing, staining or misalignment to or of the equipment or any part; d) vandalism. If Participant was negligent, abused and/or improperly used the borrowed equipment, cost or repair or replacement will be funded from the agency’s share of deferred maintenance transfers or from their operating funds. Participants may also be denied access to the Tool Barn Program.
8. DCAMM will not be liable for any damages or injury occurring during Participant’s possession and/or use of tool barn equipment.

If equipment is damaged or rendered inoperable for any reason, Participants will notify DCAMM’s Central Region Office immediately by telephone [phone]) and e-mail ([e-mail]).  Participant will also submit a “Tool Barn” accident report and any police reports, if applicable, to DCAMM’s Central Region Office via email or fax [phone]) within 48 hours of the incident.