Maintain tools and

equipment

SFLDEC303A

Maintain tools and equipment

This unit covers the tools and equipment, that are used on a regular basis within a florist shop/ floral studio.

What is the tool/equipment ?

What is it used for ?

OHS/WHSissues that you need to be aware of when using the item?

Handling and storage requirements.

Key points for Maintenance of Floristry Equipment

• Maintain Tools and Identify when equipment requires maintenance.

Regularly check all equipment

Recognise and report unsafe equipment

Identify and be aware of scheduled maintenance

Be aware of manufacturers instructions

Use safety equipment and guards as instructed

Report all equipment issues with supervisors

Use organisations appropriate documentation as supplied

Key points for Maintenance of Floristry Equipment

• Store tools and equipment Choose Correct conditions to store tools

Store in an appropriate safe location in accordance to the correct conditions

Store safely when transporting

• Consider the environment when cleaning equipment.

Contaminants into waterways

Wastage of water

Recycling

Red and white Floristry

scissors • Used for cutting through standard size

stems of plant and flower material – most used tool

• OHS issues – cutting/ slicing hands & cutting large stems such as native/ damage leading to RSI

• Wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry before storing them away.

• Lubricating Oil: Such as boiled linseed oil, Tung oil, lamp oil, or cooking oil, WD40

• When sharpening a fine metal file and a sharpening stone can be used to hone edges.

Drill

• A drill is a tool fitted with a cutting tool attachment or driving tool attachment, usually a drill bit or driver bit, used for drilling holes in various materials or fastening various materials together with the use of fasteners.

• OHS/WHS issues - The drill bit has very sharp cutting edges so take care when handling, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes

• Little maintenance required, leads and plugs need to be checked for damage, wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry before storing them away

Needle nose pliers

• Gripping tool consisting of two hinged arms with

usually serrated jaws that close on the work

piece.

• OHS/WHS issues – Wear safety glasses or

goggles, where there is a hazard from flying

particles, pieces of wire, etc.

• Storage – stored away in toolbox

• Wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry

before storing them away

Pliers • Gripping tool consisting of two hinged arms

with usually serrated jaws that close on the

work piece.

• OHS issues – cut / crush fingers

• Storage – stored away in toolbox Wipe tools

dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry before

storing them away

• Pliers should be coated with light oil when they

are not in use.

• They should be stored in a toolbox or a dry

place

Wire cutters • Wire cutters use pressure to make clean

cuts in wires, most wire cutters are hand-

held tools similar to pliers.

• OHS issues – Wear safety glasses or

goggles, where there is a hazard from

flying particles, pieces of wire.

• Storage – stored away in toolbox, wipe

tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them

dry before storing them away

• Wire cutters should be coated with light

oil when they are not in use. They should

be stored in a toolbox or a dry place

Knife • A knife (plural knives) is a cutting tool

with an exposed cutting edge or blade, hand-held or otherwise, with or without a handle.

• Used for cutting through standard size stems of plant and flower material, floral foam

• OHS issues – damage to hands, arms

• Handling - hold correctly, make sure the knife is sharp,

• Slice away from your hand and keep your fingers clear of the blade.

• Wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry before storing them away

• A sharpening stone or steel can be used to sharpen edges.

Budding Knife • Specifications Budding Knives, gift knife,

garden knife

• Material: stainless steel blade ,plastic handle

• size:165mm

• They are available in Left and firht handed models

• Sharpened on one side only

• Added safety

• Must be sharp

Video How to Sharpen a Grafting Knife

Hammer • An instrument for driving in nails and beating metals,

consisting of a head, usually of steel or iron, fixed to a handle

• OHS/ WHS issues – Hit/ bash hands and or fingers

• Storage if in car when driving should be stored so that can’t fly around under braking

• Don’t strike a hardened steel surface with a steel hammer, flying metal chips can injure you or a bystander.

• Never use a hammer with a loose or broken handle. The hammer head could come flying off while in use, always replace the handle if it’s loose or cracked.

• Wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry before storing them away

How to Safely Use a Hammer Video

Bull nose Pliers • A gripping or cutting tool consisting of two

hinged arms with usually serrated jaws that

close, some are used for twisting wires, and

others are designed to be used for a

combination of tasks including cutting wire.

• OHS/WHS issues – Wear safety glasses or

goggles, where there is a hazard from flying

particles, pieces of wire, etc.

• Storage – stored away in toolbox, wipe tools

dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry before

storing them away

• Pliers should be coated with light oil when they

are not in use. They should be stored in a

toolbox or a dry place

Saw

• Hand saws are also known as "panel saws", they

are used to cut through pieces of wood, bamboo,

logs, branches.

• OHS/WHS issues – cutting/ slicing hands

• Handling - hold correctly, make sure the saw is

sharp, Slice away from your body and keep your

fingers clear of the blade.

• Cleaning/maintenance - Wipe tools dry with a rag

or towel, or let them dry before storing them away

• A sharpening stone can be used to sharpen

edges

How to Saw Wood With a Handsaw

Secateurs • Small pruning shears with a spring that holds

the handles open and a single blade that closes against a flat surface.

• Used for cutting through standard to medium size stems of plant and flower material

• OHS issues – cut, slice or crush hands or fingers. Safety glasses or goggles can be worn where there is a hazard from flying particles

• Secateurs should be coated with light oil when they are not in use. They should be stored in a toolbox or a dry place

• Fine metal file and a sharpening stone can be used to sharpen edges, Click here to see how

• Click here to view videos on cleaning and maintenance of Secateurs

Sharpening secateurs video-Click icon below

Cleaning secateurs video-Click icon below

Step ladder

• Step ladder is a portable ladder designed with a

supporting frame, and often has a handle which

projects from the top, and they come in a range of

sizes.

• OHS - Open the stepladder spreaders and shelf

fully.

• Check stability. Ensure that all ladder feet are on a

firm, level and non-slippery surface.

• Place a step ladder at right angles to the work, with

either the front or back of the steps facing the work.

• Little maintenance - wipe ladder dry with a rag or

towel, or let dry before storing them away

Step Ladders Safety Training

More Videos

• More Videos on tool maintenance click on the Icon to go to Felco

You Tube Chanel