Posted By Geoff We have recently had an incident were one of our operatives has been injured while strimming. A stone was flicked up and went between his visor and check, causing injury to his eye. He was wearing a clear plastic face visor . We have provided these for a number of years without incident. In order to ensure that we are providing the best protection can you assit us.What protection do others provide for their operatives who are using strimmers?

Posted By Ken Taylor - although spraying is not very environmentally friendly either. Some issue goggles - but visors are usually more acceptable and easier to see through than goggles. The more expensive ventilated ones are much better. The method statement should warn of the need to check for stones and obstacles and remove them prior to strimming where reasonably practicable.

Posted By Bernard Angus Visors alone are no guarantee as has been demonstrated. Most manufacturers would rightly suggest use of clear goggles behind a visor. They need to be good quality though to prevent the 'misting problem'. Spraying is not environmentally friendly and can pose other risks to operatives and the public. As an 'gardening active' local authority, we have been through all of this; the complaints about damage to cars included. There is really little alternative to strimming, but the risks need to be controlled strictly.

Posted By Tony Gibson I would suggest the type of visor which has a 'lip' along the bottom edge which is angled towards the operator. I had the same problem suggesting a suitable alternative whilst employed by the Probation service (as County Safety Advisor), the offenders do alot of strimming! Hope this helps. Tony Gibson MIOSH

Posted By David Brede Surely the answer does not lie at the operative end of the activity. It is the strimmer that is generating the flying objects. So why not choose one that has an shroud of some sort that effectively protects the operative, general public and adjacent property from the flying debris? No one would consider using wood turning or metal cutting machinery without elaborate guards to protect the operative so why not strimmers? As said before PPE is the last line of defence not the first or the only one!

Posted By Ken Taylor PPE may well be the last line of defence but I would not accept anyone going out strimming without it. You have to look at the risks to both the operator and others. For the operator, even after all other measures there is always a remaining need for PPE as the other controls are invariably not fully adequate for all significant risks.

Posted By John Webster Francis' idea is not so daft, as I have seen such an article in use by strimmer operators - I just can't remember where or even if it was in this country. It looked like a fabric or fine netting hood with a visor front. As for control measures other than PPE, the first line of defence is elimination, next is substitution. I'm not a green evangelist, but much strimming is completely unnecessary and other environment friendly methods of weed control, like mulching, can be used around obstacles and trees. Strimming itself should be a last resort. Apart from the risks to operators and public, the machines are a noise nuisance, pollute with their oil burning 2 stroke engines, and do untold damage to trees and shrubs by stripping the bark.