Safety Equipment

Intro | Working Safely | Safety Equipment  | Brushing Tools | Sawing & Chopping Tools | Grubbing & Raking Tools | Digging & Tamping Tools | Pounding & Hammering Tools | Lifting & Hauling Tools | Bark Peeling Tools | Survey, Layout & Measuring Tools | Power Tools | Miscellaneous Tools | Tool Repair & Sharpening | Sources for Tools & Supplies

These following first aid and safety items may seem trivial, but once on the trail you’ll realized how important they really are.

First Aid Kit

A standard first aid kit should contain the basic components to handle minor incidents (blisters, splinters, small cuts, etc.) that may occur during a workday.

Gloves

Work gloves are necessary to grip tools as well as to protect the hands from blisters, thorny brush, poison oak or ivy, or any other minor scratches associated with trail work.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses should be worn when using power tools, breaking rock, or anywhere flying debris is present.

Hard Hat

Protective headgear (hard hats) are used where there is a danger of falling debris from above the work area (tree canopy or falling rocks), or where one crew may be working above another, such as near a switchback.

Two-way Radio/Cell Phone

In remote backcountry areas, a two-way radio or cell phone can save you in case of emergency. Radios should be assigned to crew leaders as determined by the number of crews, remoteness of the work site, and accessibility to emergency facilities.

Sturdy Footwear

Sturdy shoes or boots protect your feet from glancing tools and provide good footing when working.

Water

All workers should carry adequate water supplies, and crew leaders should carry extra water. Workers should minimize or stop work if there is not an adequate supply of drinking water at the worksite.

Protective Creams

Insect repellant and sun block are essential. Creams can be used as a pre- or post- treatment for poison oak or ivy exposure.

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