Your Beehive Vinyl Tool bag is designed and manufactured to last in tough site conditions; however, to achieve a long life expectancy and safe usage of your bag and to avoid voiding your warranty, the following care & maintenance instructions must be followed:
- Only use warm soapy water to clean your tool bag - do not use acids, alkaline, bleach or harsh detergents.PVC Bags - Most soiling can be removed with warm soapy water and several clear water rinses. We recommend the use of “simple green” all purpose non toxic cleaner (available at most hardware stores) to clean most marks off the PVC. If necessary, for stubborn marks, a 1:10 dilution of household bleach containing 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite will not harm the fabric. Moderate scrubbing with a medium bristle will help loosen the soiling agent from the depressions of embossed surfaces. Powdered abrasives, steel wool and industrial strength cleaners are not recommended, as they will dull the surface gloss. Dry cleaning fluids and lacquer solvents attack the surface, and should not be used. Canvas bags - Canvas requires regular cleaning and re-proofing every twelve months to maintain appearance and prolong useful life. Canvas has low resistance to applied heat, so avoid cleaning implements and methods likely to damage the fibres. You can clean regularly to remove dust or other solid particles by using clean water from a hose. For soiling, wash first with a mild solution of soap in luke warm water (38ºC max) and rinse thoroughly. DO NOT USE HARSH DETERGENTS. Stubborn soiling may require treatment with a 1:4 dilution of hydrochloride bleach (some whitening may occur though). Apply with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly & let dry.
- Ensure frequent visual inspections are undertaken prior to use. Check the tool bag for signs of damage or weakness, paying particular attention to the threads and webbing on the straps on the tool bag.
- Always check for visible signs of degradation of the webbing fabric. Normal wear and tear can reduce the strength of the webbing strap. If webbing becomes significantly damaged due to abrasions, cuts, prolonged exposure to sunlight over time or chemicals than it should be replaced. Signs of severe fading on the webbing can indicate prolonged exposure to sunlight this can possibly reduce the strength and compromise not only your safety but the safety of others.
- Check zippers operate smoothly as they should zip & unzip easily with no "catching". If zippers are starting to catch, lubricate the zippers using a silicon spray or if you work in a fairly dusty environment use paraffin wax as less dust will stick to it then silicon spray.
- Check any hook and loop tape closures for any debris that may have attached itself to the hook or loop sides. This can be particles of sand, thread-like material and even bits of dried vegetation. This can be removed using a toothbrush or other medium bristled brush.
- The base of the bag is manufactured from HDPE which has excellent resistance to acids, alkalis & organic fuels. The PVC vinyl has good acid and other chemical resistance, however avoid standing your tool bag in acid, fuel, alkalis or other chemicals as exposure to these chemicals can reduce the life expectancy of your bag. If your bag is exposed to any of these chemicals, we recommended rinsing bag off at the earliest opportunity.
- Remain within the recommended weight limits printed on the tool bag label as this is the safe working load limit for occupational health & safety reasons. The bag is strong enough to carry much, much more than this, however, to allow for OH&S ergonomic limits on what a person may be able to safely lift without an injury occurring, do not overload the bag more then the recommended weight limit or overfill the bag so as tools are hanging out. Users however should conduct their own risk assessment to ensure 15kg weight is suited to the capabilities of the person using the bag and the duration and environment the bag is being carried.
- Always make sure you secure your tools in your bag before lifting, walking or any transportation of the bag. This is especially important when working above others as serious injury can occur if any of your tools falls out of the bag onto someone below. Ensure flaps, pockets, buckles and locks are closed before lifting your bag and avoid have any tools or unclipped buckles loose that may catch on nearby items - especially if you are climbing a ladder or stairs. If you climb a ladder often with your tools, you way want to consider a Beehive tool backpack which allows you to safely have both hands free when climbing. The user of this bag assumes all risk & liability from for its handling & use.
- Our Tool bags are manufactured from a specialised heavy duty, fire resistant, high quality vinyl that we have manufactured for us in Australia by an Australian owned company. These materials are tested to AS2001.2.3 tensile strength standard, BS 3424.5 Tongue tear standard, AS1441.6 flex cracking standard and flame retardant tested to parts 2 & 3 of AS1530 standard. The HDPE base a has these fire retardant properties however avoid placing the bag in contact with extreme heat or naked flame as the materials may melt & deform/damage your bag.
- Whilst Beehive tool bags are made tough to last in toughest harshest environments, the bags still need a little TLC & as they are not completely indestructible. By giving your bag a little care & maintenance, you will be rewarded with a tool bag that will outlast any other manufactures bag for many years to come... that is why the best and smartest tradesmen invest in the original Australian made Beehive tool bag.
