Unit 116/117 Maintenance- 1st lesson

​Tool & Equipment Maintenance in Animal Care

By Courtney Sweet

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Explain why we must always follow instructions when using or cleaning tools.

2. Identify common hand tools and how to use them safely.

3. State the correct PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for maintenance tasks.

4. Describe why regular maintenance is essential for animal safety and cost-saving.

Starter Task: "What’s the Risk?"

Look at the following items often found in a tool shed:

• A rusty pair of wire cutters.

• A wheelbarrow with a flat tyre.

• A shovel with a loose, splintered wooden handle.

  Pick one item and discuss what could go wrong if you tried to use it to repair an animal enclosure.

Following Instructions (Criteria 1.1)

In animal care, equipment often comes with a Manufacturer’s Manual or a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Why is it important to follow these?

• Safety: To prevent injury to yourself or the animals.

• Warranty: Using equipment wrongly can break it and mean the shop won't fix it for free.

• Efficiency: Tools work better and last longer when used exactly as designed.

• Chemical Safety: Instructions tell you the correct "dilution rate" for cleaning fluids so you don't burn an animal's paws.

Reflect: If you find a power tool but the manual is missing, what should be your very first step?

Hand Tools and Materials (Criteria 1.2)

You will use various tools to keep animal housing secure. Using the wrong tool is a common cause of accidents.

Tool	Correct Use	Material it works with
Screwdriver	Tightening or loosening screws on gates/latches.	Metal screws, wood, plastic.
Pliers/Wire Cutters	Cutting or bending fencing wire or mesh.	Metal wire, cable ties.
Hammer	Driving nails into wooden fencing or enclosures.	Nails and wood.
Wire Brush	Scrubbing rust off metal or dried mud off shovels.	Metal, hard plastic, stone.
Oil/Lubricant	Keeping hinges and locks moving smoothly.	Metal hinges and gates.

Personal Protective Equipment - PPE (Criteria 1.3)

Maintenance can be messy and dangerous. You must wear the right gear to stay safe.

• Gloves (Heavy Duty): Protects hands from splinters, sharp wire, and blisters.

• Eye Protection (Goggles): Prevents metal shards, dust, or chemicals from splashing into your eyes.

• Steel Toe-Cap Boots: Protects your feet if you drop a heavy tool or a piece of timber.

• Overall/Apron: Protects your skin and clothes from oils, grease, and cleaning chemicals.

Multiple Select

Why must PPE be worn?

• Legal Requirement: Under Health and Safety laws (HASWA), you must wear PPE provided by your employer.

• Injury Prevention: To prevent long-term damage (like eye injuries) or short-term pain (like cuts).

• To keep your Manager happy and keep boxes ticked.

• Incase you have a health and safety inspection.

Why Undertake Maintenance? (Criteria 2.1)

Maintenance isn't just about cleaning; it’s about prevention.

Reasons for Maintenance:

• Animal Welfare: A broken fence can cut an animal or allow them to escape onto a road.

• Biosecurity: Dirty tools can carry diseases from one animal pen to another.

• Saving Money: It is cheaper to oil a hinge than to replace a whole broken gate.

• Professionalism: A well-kept workplace is a safer workplace for staff and visitors

Preparing the Work Area:

Before you even touch a tool, you must prepare your environment. In animal care, this is extra important because animals are curious and may try to "help" you!

• Animal Safety: Move animals to a different pen or area so they don't ingest small parts (like screws) or get injured by tools.

• Clear the Floor: Remove bedding, hay, or water bowls to prevent slipping and to keep your tools clean.

• Signage: Put up a "Maintenance in Progress" sign so other staff don't let animals back into the area.

• Checking Tools: Before starting, check that your tools aren't broken. A cracked handle on a hammer is a major hazard.

Maintenance & The Law (Criteria 2.1)

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, owners have a "Duty of Care" to provide a safe environment.

If you fail to maintain equipment:

1. Injury: A jagged edge on a water trough can cause deep cuts.

2. Escape: A rusty latch that snaps allows an animal to get out.

3. Disease: Cracked plastic bowls can hide bacteria in the cracks that soap can't reach.

The Golden Rule: Maintenance is cheaper and easier than a vet bill!

Multiple Choice

Is this equipment safe and well maintained?

• Yes

• No

Main Task: The "Tool Tech" Expert Presentation Time: 20–30 Minutes

The Challenge

Choose 5 tools from the list below:

• Hammer, Screwdriver, Wire Cutters, Wire Brush, Shovel, Pliers, or Spirit Level, Broom

For each tool, you must create a quick presentation or a series of "Instruction Cards" covering the following 4 points:

1. Safe Use: What is the tool's specific job? What is one "Never Do" for this tool?

2. PPE Needed: Which specific gear must you wear when using or cleaning it?

3. Cleaning Instructions: How do you clean it after use (e.g., removing rust, dirt, or disinfectants)?

4. Maintenance Instructions: How do you keep it in "as new" condition (e.g., oiling, sharpening, or checking for cracks)?