BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	Local Action
Chapter:	The right tools for the job
Section:	The use of power tools
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

The use of power tools can improve productivity greatly, especially when felling large trees. Many groups now use a range of power tools such as Flymos, chainsaws, Allen scythes and scrub cutters. The disadvantages of using power tools include the high costs of purchase, including the cost of safety equipment and maintenance. The use of power tools may also disrupt people's peace and quiet, and some volunteers may dislike working with them, so think before you use them.

Never lead a project ...and use a chainsaw at the same time.

BTCV operates a code of practice for all chainsaw operators, which is sent to groups on request or when doing chainsaw training, and which must be adhered to by groups that use BTCV insurance. Contact the Community Unit for details of officially recognised training courses. It is important to have a recognised and qualified instructor. Never lead a project or be the first aider and use a chainsaw at the same time. All groups using power tools must be properly insured. BTCV's insurance policies can be extended to cover this for an additional premium.

When using power tools make sure volunteers using hand tools do not feel left out. There is little point in using machinery if it means that volunteers stand around doing nothing. Integrating the use of power tools needs careful planning. If you have to use power tools, make sure that the person using them is kept as far apart from the rest of the volunteers as possible and ensure that volunteers are aware that they must keep at a safe distance. Also on site, establish a fuelling point well away from the work site and tea area, and when transporting power tools, remember that scrub cutters must be carried either with the blade detached and kept safe separately, or with a blade guard.

You may consider doing chainsaw work on a separate day from hand tool work. You must not ever work on your own with power tools, but you could do a short session with a small group of helpers who can be provided with ear-defenders, then the rest of the group can come back and finish off.

Hire or Buy?

Think carefully about whether you should hire or buy. If you need a heavy-duty lawnmower to keep the paths on your site cut every two weeks or so, then the purchase and maintenance costs would soon be recouped. However, if you need an allen scythe for one weekend a year to cut an area of meadow on the site it may be better to hire it as it will never run well used once a year, will take up a lot of space in store and will cost a lot to buy.

Hiring machines for one-off projects can be well worth it, eg. if you need to mix a lot of concrete your volunteers will bless you for getting them a cement mixer.

You can hire a lot of the safety equipment you might need for one-off projects too, for example cones and roadsigns to mark off a safe working area if you were repairing a wall on the roadside for instance.