Who is authorized to sign out tools at the beginning and end of shifts?

The correct choice identifies the roles of the work center supervisor and the collateral duty inspector as those authorized to sign out tools at the beginning and end of shifts. The work center supervisor is responsible for overseeing the operations and ensuring that proper procedures are followed for tool accountability and management, which is critical in a maintenance environment where tools must be tracked to prevent loss and ensure safety.

The collateral duty inspector complements this by serving as a specific point of responsibility for tool management within that work center, ensuring that tools are in good condition and properly accounted for before they are signed out and returned. This division of responsibility helps maintain strict controls over tools, which are vital assets in maintenance operations.

Other roles, such as all personnel involved in maintenance or senior staff officers, may have varying degrees of responsibility and involvement with tools, but they do not have the specific authority designated to manage the signing out process. By limiting this authority to the specified roles, it increases accountability and ensures that experienced personnel are overseeing tool management, thus enhancing the safety and efficiency of maintenance operations.