1.7. Tools and Equipment
Introduction
Most upland pathwork uses hand tools for manual construction techniques, with the assistance of small mechanical equipment to move materials around or to the site. Personal protective and safety equipment is also required on site for both personal safety and in the event of an accident.
Hand Tools
A variety of tools have been traditionally used on the land for many years by estate workers or crofters. Some have been adapted for use in pathwork, but most remain the same, though names vary from area to area. The basic hand tools required are:
- Pinch-bar
- Mattock
- Spade
- Shovel
- Mash hammer
- Sledge hammer
Some of the extras or alternatives include:
- Rake
- Hack (hooked three pronged fork, for moving turf)
- Rutter (very heavy, big ditching spade)
- Pick axe
- Tamper
- Buckets
- Wheelbarrows
- Nylon strops
The hand-tools and type selected for use will depend largely on the particular task being carried out, but will also vary with the individual preference of the pathworker. There is also a wide variety of types of mattock, spade, shovel, pinch bar, rake and hammer to choose from.
Safety and Care
Hand tools should be checked daily and regularly maintained to ensure that they are safe to use, as well as prolonging their life.
- Steel edges and heads should be kept free of burrs
- Cutting edges should be kept sharp
- Heads should be checked to ensure that they are firmly fixed to the shaft, wedges should be undamaged and secure
- Shafts should be checked for damage, such as cracks and splits in the wood, and replaced when necessary
Tools should be safely transported to site. In vehicles they should be in a separate compartment from the passengers and driver. If this is not possible they should be boxed or firmly tied and secured. When carrying tools to the work site, overloading should be avoided and tools carried at the side rather than over the shoulder.
Small Mechanical Equipment
The two most commonly used pieces of equipment are:
- Power barrows
- Manually operated winches
Used for gathering and moving materials, they reduce the need for manual handling and lifting of materials. Before using them it is essential that the operator has received training in use and safety, and is familiar with manufacturer’s guidelines. Mechanical equipment should only be used after maintenance checks have been made by a competent person.
Power Barrows
These are small tracked “wheel-barrows”, powered by a small four stroke engine. Running on rubber tracks they spread the load over a larger area and minimise damage to vegetation. Depending on the size and make they can carry approximately 400kgs on level ground, and 250kg on a gradient, e.g. the Honda HP400. Some models have a hand operated tipping mechanism. They can be used to carry boulders, stone, aggregate, turf and soil to and from the path, as well as equipment to the work site.
They are robust and cope well with most rough upland terrain, if used properly. Terrain that is not suitable includes rocky, boulder strewn sites on steep gradients. Power barrows are not very stable traversing across steep slopes. They are better used straight up or down, but do have maximum gradient restrictions.
The site should be carefully assessed before barrows are brought on to it. On soft ground the tracks can cause damage if they loose traction, or are turned sharply. Users should vary the route taken to and from the path to reduce tracking and the likelihood of environmental damage.
Winches
The most common type of winch used in upland pathwork, suitable for moving large boulders, is the manually operated ground winch, made by Tirfor. These are capable of pulling up to either 800kgs or 1600kgs. The winch has a shear pin that will break if the load maximum is exceeded. Larger winches, including powered winches, can be used, but they weigh more and are cumbersome to move around and transport to upland sites.
The main part of the winch is the gear box, where a rope is pulled using gripping jaws and a lever mechanism. The winch is used in conjunction with a wire rope, nylon strops, shackles and anchor points.
Anchor points will normally be in-situ boulders, or bedrock, which must be larger than the stone being winched. They need to be secure, with no possibility of moving once the winch is attached and operating, and combined with steel pins if necessary. They must also be a suitable shape to secure a nylon strop, to which the winch is attached. If none can be found in the location, purpose made anchor points can be set up using steel pins and chains. Anchor points must withstand the force of the winch and wire rope when the boulder is being lifted. Once a stable anchor point has been set up it should be used for winching as many boulders as possible.
The boulder to be moved is secured with nylon strops, tape or rope, with no possibility of the boulder slipping. A system of self tightening strops is the most effective. The winch and wire rope are attached to the anchoring and load strops with suitably sized shackles.
Safety and Care
Both items of equipment described above have restrictions and should never be used beyond their specification. They should be serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Safe working procedures should be followed at all times, particularly with regard to public and pathworker safety (see Section 1.8).
They are subject to Health and Safety Regulations, which require regular maintenance with daily and weekly checks. Testing must be undertaken by a competent person at six month intervals. It is a legal requirement that the correct certificates are held.
The strops, ropes and shackle used with the winch should be more than capable of withstanding the maximum weights to be lifted, and marked with their safe working load. They should also be routinely tested by a competent person and checked daily for wear and damage prior to use.
Other Mechanical Equipment
Where access is suitable use may be made of ATVs for speedier transport of material, particularly where imported materials are stockpiled at a location near to the path. On remoter sites where large quantities of materials need to be imported, or moved to the path line, helicopters will need to be used. Although subject to more demanding work planning, working practice and safety management, they minimise time required, manual handling and environmental impact. Helicopters are generally contracted from specialist companies: loads lifted varying from 500kg to 1000kg.
Again where access is suitable, compaction machinery may be brought in to aid aggregate path construction. This may vary from vibrating plates to driven, twin drum, vibrating rollers. The provision and use of all compaction machinery is subject to Health and Safety Regulations.
Personal Protective Equipment
The appropriate protective equipment must be available and worn during relevant pathwork operations. Items will vary depending on the work being undertaken and the tools or plant being used. The following lists the minimum requirements.
- Steel toe-capped boots
- Gloves made of robust material
- Safety goggles
- Ear defenders
- Hard hat
A personal rucsac containing the following should also be carried.
- Waterproof clothing
- Spare warm clothing
- Food and hot drink
- Sun protection - filter or clothing
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Most upland sites will require an extensive safety kit, to deal with situations that can arise in an exposed and changeable mountain environment. The following lists the essential items that should be available on site for the work team, at all times.
- Team First-aid kit
- Whistle, flares, strobe light
- Team bivi bag
- Survival bag
- Maps and compass
- Communication link - mobile telephone or radio if possible.
See health and safety for further information on safe working practice and training.