Open Association of Landscape Industries
Essential van kit - does yours contain everything it SHOULD?
This thread is a bit of a follow-on from the recent ones on vans/racking/tool storage etc...
Obviously everyone's vans carry their 'tools of trade' so to speak (the mowers, blowers, brushes, mixers, wackers etc) - but does your van kit contain all of the other things that you may need?
(This thread is inspired by having to re-rack a friends van to meet safety compliance standards for one of his big contracts)
Do you have:
A FIRE EXTINGUISHER?
Yes - we all hope we will never need it and in most cases we won't, however there is no substitute for having one when something does catch fire, albeit it a fuel spill or dry debris on a machine catching fire - just think - a £20 fire extinguisher may save your £5000 machine or van!
A FIRST AID KIT?
I'm sure we all have cut/scraped/generally injured ourselves while working - how many of us then ended up digging around in the van for the dusty box of plasters or the electrical insulating tape? Obviously if you employ staff then this should always be on your van!
AN ACCIDENT BOOK?
Probably not one for the sole traders among us - but if you employ staff then all accidents - and their outcome - must be recorded. You can even get these accident books in handy wallets to stop them getting dusty and dirty.
A SPARE PAIR OF GOGGLES/GLOVES/EAR DEFENDERS?
Imagine - you have done one job, go to the next and find you have accidentally left your ear defenders or gloves or goggles behind - the temptation may be to carry on regardless. Just imagine what the consequences could be though - for what a spare pair of ear defenders/gloves/goggles cost (even if not the same quality as you normally use), then surely its worth having spares?
CABLE JOINS AND FIXINGS?
Doubtless many of us out there have accidentally chopped a SKY, TV or telephone cable whilst working - these can normally be quickly and simply repaired with the appropriate joiner (often only a few pounds) - its always worth learning how to fix these and save having to call out an expert or find an appropiate fixing on Friday just before the shops close. Obviously if its live electric -leave it alone!!!
SMALL TRAFFIC CONES?
If, like me sometimes you are forced to park van/trailer in the road or work partially in the road, a few of the mini traffic cones come in quite useful to slow down traffic/temporarily divert pedestrians. I'm not getting into chapter 8 signage and road closures here, but hopefully you can see their uses...
Things like these items take up very little room in the van if properly and effectively stored - but will always be there when you need them!
That's in addition to the spare spark plugs and appropriate socket , engine oil for top ups, spare bit of recoil rope, replacement mower blade, two stroke oil, chain oil, strimmer line, cable ties, gaffa tape, silicone sealer, no more nails, mobile phone charger, maps, sat nav and all the other handy bits and bobs that normally end up in a work van....
Doubtless others can think of things I may have forgotten?
Tags: essential, extinguisher, fire, kit, racking, safety, vans
Replies to This Discussion
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by andy@ Doughty Garden Maintenance on -
I have these things in my van, (apart from an accident book), I have a main first aid kit in the cab and i also have a small first aid kit that attaches to my belt which contains a large wound dressing amongst other things, I carry this when i'm using the chainsaw or hedgecutters, especially if i'm a long way from the van.
Fire extinguishers are essential,
I always have my toolbox on board which contains enough kit for me to repair most things either on the van or machines.
I also have a set of cones as you mentioned, they are also useful for weighing down tarps when hedgecutting on a windy day. I have several normal traffic cones, and i also have 2 yellow cones with a trip hazard sign on them for when i'm using cables or hoses. I also have tree cutting signs and grass cutting signs that go on the cones too. I also have a couple of amber flashing lamps which are handy in bad visibility or in a breakdown.
One thing i do have in the cab which wasn't on your list is a Hi-Vis vest, I always use this when i'm working near roads or where vehicles are moving about.
as you have mentioned, Gaff tape, cable ties and WD40 can probably get you through any situation lol
Good topic Adam,
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
4 x snickers bars :)
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Permalink Reply by Thermo on
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mine had everything in it till saturday morning, when it was little emptier after about £2000 worth of tools were stolen from it. So have a think about security as well as whats inside
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Permalink Reply by ARTNOIRE on -
The most important piece of equipment we carry in Daisy our Merc sprinter is a camping portaloo!!!
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Permalink Reply by mark on -
washing line lol always cutting through them with the hedge trimmer
ARTNOIRE said:The most important piece of equipment we carry in Daisy our Merc sprinter is a camping portaloo!!!
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Permalink Reply by mark thomas on -
i like !!!! had very many near misses will get some just in case..
mark said:washing line lol always cutting through them with the hedge trimmer
ARTNOIRE said:The most important piece of equipment we carry in Daisy our Merc sprinter is a camping portaloo!!!
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Permalink Reply by mark thomas on
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or for tying up non paying customers lol !!!
Gardens4u.co.uk said:a ball of green string for tyeing up plants / shrubs .......... essential for any pro-gardener !! :)
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Permalink Reply by Jez Wardman on
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several bags of enthusiasm and sense of humor
sometimes the enthusiasm runs out completely and if the sense of humor get left behind it usually ends up being a long day
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd on -
I thought I might bump this to the top of the list - I've just got a new van so will be racking it out next week.
This thread is a good reminder of the extras that can be overlooked!
Nick
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Paul McNulty on -
Why has no-one mentioned sun cream? Particularly when staff never bring any form of protection!
I guess it's a stupid suggestion given the weather last year, but we might get a few days sunshine next summer. I also freeze bottles of water overnight, so there's still a half-cold supply throughout the hot days. Nothing worse than water that's sat in a boiling cab all day.
#Paul looks out of the window at the rain pouring down on the water-logged garden, and remembers once needing sun block and iced water!
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd on -
Good idea. We have sun cream - Deb deflect - which is mounted in the cabs of our vans in a soap like dispenser
http://www.arco.co.uk/product?productcode=27D3600
Paul McNulty said:Why has no-one mentioned sun cream? Particularly when staff never bring any form of protection!
I guess it's a stupid suggestion given the weather last year, but we might get a few days sunshine next summer. I also freeze bottles of water overnight, so there's still a half-cold supply throughout the hot days. Nothing worse than water that's sat in a boiling cab all day.
#Paul looks out of the window at the rain pouring down on the water-logged garden, and remembers once needing sun block and iced water!
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Robbie @ PremierLawnsni on -
No first aid kit is complete without a supply of imodium.
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