Blade: Used for cutting the tree

Loppers

Handle: Used for opening the loppers so you can put them around the tree you want to cut

Loppers

Carrying loppers

Which one is these pictures shows the correct and safe way of carrying a pair of loppers and why?

Using loppers to cut down a treeWhich one is these pictures shows the correct and safe way of using a pair of loppers to cut down a tree and why?

Using loppers to cut down a treeWhat is wrong in these pictures?

Using loppers to cut down a branchWhich one is these pictures shows the correct and safe way of using a pair of loppers to cut down a branch and why?

Carrying branches to the pileWhich one is these pictures shows the correct and safe way of carrying branches to a pile and why?

The incorrect technique for carrying loppers

The blade is openThe blade facing down where you can’t see itThe blade is facing down towards your legs and the loppers are open so if you trip it may cut your legThe loppers are not tucked away in the secure ‘soldier’ position

The correct technique for carrying loppers

The blade is closed The blade is facing forwards so you can see where it is.The blade is facing forwards so if you trip the blade will go into the ground, not into youYour hands are away from the bladeYour hands are in glovesYou are away from other peopleThe loppers are being carried in the secure ‘soldier’ position

The correct technique for using loppersto cut down a tree

The tree is a reasonable size (the thickness of your thumb or a 20p coin or less)You are cutting low on the tree so the tree won’t grow back and will rot downYou are cutting low so no one will trip over the stumpYour head and face are well away from the branchesYou are cutting so the tree will fall away from the other people(You could also suggest a friend holds a branch well away from the part of the tree that you are cutting to stop the tree falling onto you)

You are cutting too high up the treeThe tree will grow backIt’s dangerous to leave a spike of wood in the forest so you should always cut the tree as low as you can

The incorrect technique for using loppersto cut down a tree

The incorrect technique for using loppersto cut down a tree

You are cutting too high up the treeThe tree will grow backIt’s dangerous to leave a spike of wood in the forest so you should always cut the tree as low as you can

The tree is too big to cut with a pair of loppersThere are other tools nearby which you may step on

The correct technique for using loppersto cut down a branch

The tree is a reasonable size (thickness of your thumb or 20p coin or less)You are standing to one side of the branch to stop it falling on your headYou are cutting with no one standing under the branchYou are cutting at a reasonable height without stretching too far up which can cause the loppers to be dropped accidentally

The incorrect technique for using loppersto cut down a branch

You are cutting with people standing very near to the branch You are cutting above your own headYou are stretching too far up to cut meaning there is a risk you could drop the loppersYou are not wearing gloves!

The correct technique for carrying branches to the pile

Your head and face are well away from the branchesYou are wearing gloves to carry the branchYou are carrying the branch behind you and low on the ground making it easier to carry and stopping the branches hitting anyone. The tree is a reasonable size (thickness of your thumb or 20p coin or less)There are no tools in your hand at the same time as you are carrying the branches

The incorrect technique for carrying branches to the pile

Your head and face are amongst the branchesYou are carrying the branch in front of your face meaning it is hard to carry and you can’t see where you are goingYou are holding the branches up in the air where you could easily hit or scratch other people

How to carry and use loppers safely