BOWSAW
Check: Blade is sharp – replace if blunt; Blade is secure
Handling: Blade cover on; Carry at side with blade facing down; Pass
to others handle first
Uses: Coppicing; Felling small trees; Cutting logs
Rules: Find safe secure place for log before beginning to saw (do not
cut on ground)
 Place blade on log and put free hand through saw and rest on log.
Pull blade gently backwards until groove established then move hand
back through saw to complete the cut.
 When coppicing place blade at bottom of tree branch and keep
branch secure. Be aware of angle of fall.
PPE: Work glove on non-tool hand; Steel-toe capped boots; Hard hat
if necessary
Maintain: Clean blade with brush and dry with cloth; Oil blade
regularly; Store with blade covered in dry tool bag
POTATO PEELER
Check: Cutting edge is secure in handle
Handling: Hold cutting edge in gloved hand with handle facing down.
Pass to others handle first. Wrap or carry in small tool bag/box
Uses: Whittling small soft sticks; peeling bark; Sharpening cooking
sticks.
Rules: Sit securely; Ensure space around, in front and behind you when
working (2 arms length); Secure stick by your side under non-working
arm; Always move cutting edge away and down from you.
PPE: Working glove on non-tool hand.
Maintain: Clean cutting edge/remove debris after use with small stick
and cloth; Oil blade regularly; Store in separate small tool bag or box
and keep dry.
BILLHOOK
Check: Blade is secure in the shaft/handle; Blade is sharp – sharpen
if needed.
Handling: Blade cover/sheath on; Carry at side with blade facing
down and back; Pass to others handle first
Uses: Splitting green logs; snedding (stripping) branches; hedge
laying; coppicing; clearing.
Rules: Find flat surface, clear of obstructions.
 Splitting logs – position billhook on top of log to be split and strike
with wooden mallet. No gloves.
 Snedding – Ensure clear area around and in front (‘blood bubble’).
Hold branch secure i.e. under arm, and move billhook along branch,
always working away from body.
PPE: Working glove on non-tool hand or none at all; Steel-toe capped
boots.
Maintain: Clean blade after use; Use wire wool to remove rust and
then oil blade; Sharpen regularly with sharpening stone and water;
Store with blade covered in dry tool bag.
PEN KNIFE
Sheath knife / Locking knife
Check: Blade is sharp – sharpen if needed; Blade is secure/no
movement; Hinge is secure if locking knife
Handling: Close blade when not in use and/or store in protective
sheath. Carry holding sheath or closed in case in small tool bag. Pass
to others handle first.
Uses: Whittling; Peeling bark; Sharpening cooking sticks; Carving
sticks.
Rules: Sit securely; Ensure space around, in front and behind you
when working (2 arms length); Secure stick by your side under nonworking arm; Always move blade away and down from you.
PPE: Working glove on non-tool hand
Maintain: Clean and dry blade with cloth after use; Sharpen regularly
with sharpening stone and water; Oil blade regularly; Store in
protective sheath/locked closed in separate small tool bag or box and
keep dry.
SECATEURS
Check: Hinge is secure, cutting edge is sharp.
Handling: When passing ensure handles are passed first. When
carrying ensure cutting edge is closed and hinge is secure.
Uses: Cutting small branches up to 1cm diameter.
Rules: Use one hand to hold branch and other hand to work tool. Hand
to be placed on handles of tool and branch to be positioned deep
inside cutting edges.
PPE: Working glove on non tool hand, steel toe cap boots.
Maintain: Ensure cutting edges are free from debris and clean with
cloth after use. Lock tool and store within tool bag. Ensure tool is
kept dry and free from rust.
LOPPERS
Check: Grips are not damaged or loose, extension is working, cutting
edge is clean and opens and closes, hinge is secure.
Handling: Carry at your side with hand on lower handle and cutting
edges facing down. When passing ensure handles are passed first.
Uses: Cutting branches up to 2.5cm diameter
Rules: Do not cut branches larger than 2.5cm diameter, hold tool
using handles and ensure that branch is placed deep within cutting
edges. Ensure no hands are near branches to be cut and if cutting
above head wear a hard hat at all times.
PPE: Hard hat if cutting above head, steel toe cap boots
Maintain: Clean cutting edge after use and store in tool bag with
cutting edge closed. Ensure tool is kept dry and free from rust.
PRUNING / FOLDING SAW
Check: Blade not cracked/ damaged, All teeth in place, hinge secure
and blade properly fixed on opening/ closing.
Handling: Take care when opening/ closing blade; hold handle in front
and ensure fingers are away from blade and closing area. When
passing/ carrying ensure blade is securely folded away.
Uses: Cutting branches too thick to be cut with secateurs
Rules: Stand/ kneel securely; Ensure space around, in front and
behind you when working (2 arms length). Never cut on ground and
ensure non working hand is away from blade. Secure wood to be cut
and avoid saw slip by making three initial grooves in wood (pulling
back). Use gentle cutting action, do not twist, push or bend saw.
PPE: If sawing over head height/ working with large branches wear
hard hat at all times/ Glove on non-working hand.
Maintain: Clean with brush after use and ensure saw is securely
folded into cover. Store in tool bag and keep dry.
HAND DRILL
Check: Parts of tool secure and fully functional/ Correct sized bit has
been selected and is securely fitted
Handling: When carrying hold handle next to leg with bit facing
backwards. When passing hold the wheel and offer the handle to the
other person.
Uses: Drilling through discs and other thin pieces of wood.
Rules: Stand securely; Ensure space around, in front and behind you
when working (2 arms length). Secure wood. Choose appropriate sized
bit and secure within tool. Place bit into wood, apply pressure onto top
handle and rotate moving handle of drill clockwise.
PPE: Glove on non working hand.
Maintain: Remove drill bits after use and clean with brush. Store drill
bits in container and ensure these are kept dry. Hand drill to be
stored in tool bag, kept dry and free from rust at all times.
FILES & RASPS
Check: Ensure blade secure in handle
Handling: Hold by handle, against leg, with blade pointing to the
ground. Pass to others handle first.
Uses: Making grooves in small lengths of wood i.e. for creating guiros,
smoothing rough edges. Rasps give a faster, rougher cut, having
individual teeth randomly placed along their surface. Files give a more
refined finish, having parallel, diagonal rows of teeth forming ridges
across the surface.
Rules: Find safe secure place for log before beginning. Hold handle
and use sawing motion forwards and backwards, keeping log secure.
PPE: Working glove on non-tool hand
Maintain: Brush teeth clean with soft metal brush after use to
reduce clogging. Store in protective sleeves or bags to prevent them
scraping against each other and keep in dry tool bag.