BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	How & Why
Chapter:	How to improve access
Section:	Project leader's notes
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

Oite visit

Visit the site in advance to gain a clear idea of what you will be doing on the day.

Assess the suitability of the project for the group you will be leading and the time available.

Undertake a risk assessment for both project and site.

If you have to decide on the design or route of a path, consider the following questions:

Materials

Are suitable materials available locally - local materials blend in best -or will material have to be imported to site.

Over estimate the amount of stone needed for steps and cutoffs.

Examine existing paths in the area to determine their good and bad points.

Users

Who will use the path; hill walkers, day strollers, horse riders or motorcyclists? What sort and what size of path do they need?

The path must be firm, even, well drained and more comfortable to walk on than the surrounding land.

The route

Will it be used, or will people cut corners or even ignore the path?

Do you need steps which are difficult to construct and generally avoided by walkers - or can you route the path to avoid them. If in doubt don't build steps.

Drainage

The path must be designed to stop water getting onto it and to shed rapidly any that does.

Look carefully at the route of the path to determine where water is likely to cross the path or to lie on it.

Decide what sort of drains are necessary and where they should be.

What is the worst weather likely to be?

Drains must be large enough to take stormwater runoff.

Paths running up slopes will need cutoffs to divert water running down them.

Tools and equipment

Depending on the size of the team adjust the quantity of equipment taken to the site. Ensure the tools are in good condition before using them.

First aid kit
Goggles
Appropriate protective gloves
Tape measure
Spades
Mattocks
Pickaxes
Crowbars
Sledge hammers
Rakes
Bucket
Wheelbarrows
Punners
Bowsaws (large and small)
Hammer
Slasher
Loppers
Fencing pliers
Mell or Maul
Tenon saw
Nails
Staples
Wood chisel
Mallet
Drill
Shovel
Tamper
Clearance tools
Site safety signs

Ensure all team members are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing and issue the specified safety equipment.

Introduction

Introduce the site, the work and the reasons for doing it.

Walk around the site explaining what work will be undertaken.

Identify potential hazards and how to work safely around them.

Demonstrate tool use

Demonstrate and explain the safe use, carrying and onsite care of the tools before starting work.

Refer to the BTCV Hand Tools booklet.

Demonstrate work techniques

Demonstrate all new work techniques as you come to them. This will save mistakes and avoid accidents.

Demonstrate the correct lifting technique (bending the knee and keeping the back straight so that the leg muscles are used and the back is not strained).

Refer to the BTCV Basic Safety leaflet.

Organisation of team

Pair experienced and inexperienced volunteers. Let pairs work on their own sections.

If there is a variety of work, let people change jobs at breaks to avoid boredom. The leader should check, assist and encourage people and ensure work standards are maintained.

For more information:

Consult your local BTCV office.