19 P er sonal Pr o t ectiv e Eq uipment PPE and Eq uipment Alw a ys hold the ax e with bo th hands Clear the w or k area of obstructions Ensure the ax e head and h andle are secure This will pre v ent fy of f type accidents Soak ax e head area in w at er o v ernight and inser t ne w w edges as req uired Ensure secure f oo ting while chopping Maintain a frm grip on the handle W ear boo ts with st eelpr o t ect ed t oes Maintain an e v en t em per If y ou fy of f the handle the ax e ma y end up in y our leg R oc k Hammer s There are se v eral po t ential hazar ds t o user s and b ystander s when r ock hammering is in pr ogress including Ey e injur y t o an y one in the vicinity ma y be caused b y fying r ock or me tal chips and theref ore e y e pr o t ection must be w orn Hammer head s could fy of f the handle Bef ore use inspect the hammer t o ensure the head is secure Ens ure swing area is clear of shrubs or twigs which might defect of f the hammer Use ca ution when carr ying the hammer Injuries ha v e been sustained b y people f alling on the shar p end of their r ock hammer s