EU Congress Workshop Report

EU Congress – workshop report Safe Use of Handtools Chris Brunton

The two workshops ran to capacity with 16+ attendees per session. I had erected a large tarpaulin shelter amongst the well spread broad leafed lime trees on a capacious margin of mown grass beside the fast flowing river Tay – a beautiful site for the workshop with the Hotel as a backdrop. I distributed logs for seating, more logs as mini workbenches and some boards as shelves for artifact displays that I had brought as example projects.

I began by introducing myself with a brief Biopic, and explained that our first task was to understand the challenges we present to our client groups. I gave some participants boxing gloves, some clingfilm covered 3D specs, and asked the last few to work left and single handed. They were then challenged to perform the simple task of trimming a stick or writing a word on tissue with charcoal or tie a piece of string into a bow. The idea being that a normally simple task was to be attempted under very challenging circumstances. We then discussed how it felt to be challenged and how important it is as pedagogues to give suitable tasks, very clear instructions and to be sympathetic and empathetic with our clients.

I then explained my approach to Risk Assessment and showed some examples of environment and tool RA explaining the key points of hazard identification followed by calculation of probability versus severity leading to identifying suitable control measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

We then discussed sharp edged tools and also use of equipment other than for it’s intended use (e.g. vegetable peelers for sharpening sticks). We covered a variety of ideas and strategies for creating a safe environment for tool use and methods of use. I demonstrated fixed bladed knives (sheath knives) explaining the dangers, also small saw, axe and we had many other bladed tools for examination.

I gave an exemplar formula for explaining to children (or other!) safe handling, use and storage of tools that could be applied to any hand tool used by novice groups. We discussed the key properties of Elder wood as an easy wood to process for small accessible tasks, e.g. pens and whistles, and invited everybody to create an ‘Elder Pen’ using a Bic biro ink tube and an Elder stick. The group then made a simple ‘kazoo’ that makes a duck call sound with Hazel or Ash and a rubber band, using learnt techniques of safe use of a knife. One participant stayed on longer to make a whistle.

We briefly reviewed the session asking what participants felt they had gained and what could be improved. The groups gave very positive feedback that they had ideas and projects that could be used in their practice with groups. I was also delighted to be invited to visit Finland!

Thanks for the opportunity to meet and present to such a diverse and interesting group of professionals, and also thanks to the hotel and conference staff for their patient and extended help.