For work clothes, the aims are always safety and comfort. For general work you will need the following:
- Overalls, boilersuits or close-fitting work clothes. The wearing of loose clothes and scarves is dangerous when working with edged tools and among branches and brambles.
- Boots. Heavy leather work boots with deep moulded soles and safety toe caps, either external or internal, are best. In wet conditions, wellingtons with safety toe caps are recommended. Trainers, light shoes and normal wellingtons do not give adequate protection.
- Gloves. These are essential when dealing with brambles and thorns. Hedging gloves with gauntlets give extra protection against thorny scrub. For general work, suede palmed ‘rigger’ gloves are suitable. Gloves should not normally be worn when using edged tools, as the tool can easily slip. Criss cross ‘gripper’ gloves give improved grip. Gloves may be necessary to prevent allergic reaction to bracken, nettles or other plants.
- Safety helmet. This should comply to EN 397 and should be worn when using a post driver. Working with chainsaws, brush cutters, near heavy machinery or working aloft, none of which are covered by this handbook, will require the wearing of helmets and other protective items.
