Handling - Woods for learning

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.