SAFE Project Tool Use
Ensuring Age-Appropriate Participation in Scouting Activities
Creating safe, meaningful, and age-appropriate experiences is at the heart of every successful Scouting program. To support that goal, the Health and Safety Policies outlined on the Scouting Safety Resources page provide clear, age-based activity guidelines. These standards ensure that all Scouting experiences are not only developmentally appropriate but also physically and emotionally safe for every youth participant.
Whether you’re planning a service project, camp activity, or outdoor adventure, these guidelines help deliver exciting, hands-on opportunities that foster growth—while keeping safety as the top priority!
The Guide to Safe Scouting provides a SAFE Checklist and a comprehensive list on how to correctly implement these guidelines:
S = Supervision
Qualified supervision is on site. They must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate or supervise the operation of all tools and equipment used for any activity or service project.
A = Assessment
Check the project area for hazards and clear workspace for tool use between participants.
Qualified supervisors will determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. PPE examples include:
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses or face shield
- Safety helmets/hardhats
- Earplugs or muffs
- Steel-toe shoes or sturdy work boots
- Protective aprons or clothing
- Fall protection
- Recommendations of tool manufacturer
F = Fitness and Skills:
Participation in projects and the use of tools should be based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of youth and adult members.
Reminder: Lions and Tigers cannot use tools during service projects.
E = Equipment and Environment
Leaders must follow the most restrictive and protective guidelines. The table on page 2 of the SAFE Project Tool Use guidelines is not comprehensive; tool or equipment manufacturers’ safety literature about age and skills restrictions will supersede the recommendations. If in doubt, properly trained and/or experienced adults should be recruited for all tool use or job functions that might be hazardous or dangerous.
The SAFE Project Tool Use Guidelines are available here
Reminder: If it is not practical to meet these protocols, do not conduct the activity or service project!
Who can use which tools?
- Lions/Tigers (with adult partner)
- No tools
- Wolf/Bear Scouts
- Rakes, hoes, shovels, small clippers, handheld (gardening) shovels, and trowels.
- Hammers, screwdrivers, and wood sanding blocks.
- Pocket or wood-carving knives (requires the youth to have earned the Whittling Chip or Totin’ Chip) (bear only)
- Handheld paint brushes
- Webelos
- All the tools Wolf/Bear can use
- Paint rollers
- Scouts BSA
- All the tools of Wolf/Bear/Webelos
- Lawn mowers, tractors, or other equipment
- Handsaws, wood chisels, wood planes, brace, and bits
- Small, handheld electric screwdrivers and palm sanders
- Paint rollers with extensions
- Older Scouts BSA (members who are age 13 and have completed eighth grade or are 14+ years old), Sea Scouts, and Venturers
- All the tools of Wolf/Bear/Webelos/ Scouts BSA
- Lawn mowers, line trimmers, edgers, and hedge trimmers
- Riding mowers, tractors, or other equipment (all adult use only)
- Chain saws (21+ years old with proper training) log splitters, woodchippers (all adult use only)
- Belt or large sanders (electric or cordless)
- Welder (Welding merit badge participation is exempt), circular, reciprocating, or radial saws; band or scroll saws; routers and planers; metal grinders; pressure washers; drill presses; and branding irons (all adult use only)
- Paint sprayers
- Ladders or step stools (limited to the first 3 steps only)
- Ladders or scaffold (4 feet or higher requires fall protection) (all adult use only)
Here is a link to print a comprehensive list of the rank and age-appropriate guidelines PDF sheet for ALL Scouting activities.
Scouts and their parents expect all Scouting America activities to be conducted safely. When you deliver the Scouting program in accordance with the four points of SAFE, Scouts can grow in new opportunities that align with their maturity demographic. So, let’s remember to use the tools provided to have a fun and SAFE time!
Aaron on Scouting Resources
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