[sanddrag]

It's easier to start fresh with a place where everything works and is well taken care of by a knowledgeable instructor or shop foreman. For something to be broken or malfunctioning in our lab is very out of the ordinary. The "broken window theory" applies to some degree. It's easier to keep a nice place nice if you don't let problems be problems. Fix them as soon as they occur. People know that everything we have is in good condition and works well. We do not allow things to be in poor condition or to malfunction, because we want that to be the exception rather than the norm, so it stands out.

For this reason, we run a policy in the lab that students must let me know immediately if any damage or malfunction occurs or is noticed, accidental or otherwise, however big, or however small. If you build this culture with your team while in your lab, people will take notice when something isn't quite right, and they will let people know, so that it can be addressed. Students also know that there is no penalty or consequence for reporting damage or an accident as soon as it occurs. They also know that they are not to keep accidents and damage a secret left for someone else to find later.

All of that said, inspections and checklists are not a bad idea. We just do it very informally, and many of us carry the knowledge in our minds to check thinks out and fix problems as they crop up, without any sort of paperwork. The last thing any of us need is more paperwork.