Posted By Robert.J
I have noticed that with the huge amount of verge side grass strimming being done that very few (if any) motorised strimmer operators actually wear any eye protection.
With the "cover your ass" culture now in UK, I'm really surprised that local authorities and other main contractors are actually not policing this activity.
The operators must surely be aware that their site is at great risk.
Whats wrong with them?

Posted By Karen Todd
I have noticed the opposite, I have noticed more and more people wearing PPE whilst doing this type of operation. I have also noticed more people doing the cutting with a tractor and mower wearing ear defenders inside the cab of the tractor, especially farmers, not just council employees and private contractors.

In fact, I also recall looking through the Argos catalogue and noticing that some gardening equipment such as strimmers and chainsaws comes with a 'safety pack' including eye protection, etc.

But even so, you still get those who mow the lawn in their sandals...after seeing the photos of lawnmower injuries at safteng.net I always wear my safety shoes when I mow the lawn!!!

Karen

Posted By Peter MacDonald
I used to cut the grass for Inverness council as a summer job.
I saw amongst other things, in one summer season, chipped teeth, black eyes, facial uts and eye damage from high speed ejections from the strimmer. If you've ever seen one of these things hit wet dog poo then you've got another set of problems altogether.

The main reason for the lack of PPE is macho. You can't get a tan with a mask and overalls on, and you can't smoke a fag with a visor on, plain and simple.

If management crack down on it (and LA's are now much better than when I was there) there are big improvements.

I have sat in a van, bruised face and covered in poo, with similarly afflicted colleagues and gone back to work without the correct PPE. I cringe at teh thought now but it was pure machismo, lack of management support and niaveity.

Peter

Peter

Posted By Ron Hunter
All good points, but Local Authorities and Contractors seem to miss the obvious - if these risks arise for the operator, then what about passing pedestrians (inc. children,pets) and motorists?
Are strimmers really the correct tool for the job in built-up areas?
The hand-arm vibration characteristics of these machines is usually abysmal anyway - who wants to be doing that job all day every day and risking HAVS/VWF?

Posted By Peter MacDonald
Ron, you are quite correct with regards to members of the public although you have to be quite close to get hurt as the strimmer can only kick up light objects that lose their momentum very quickly. We used to barrier off the stretch of road and use spotters to keep people away. As for hand arm vibration I've yet to see a council worker (myself at the time included) ever exceed the exposure limits due to coffee, fag,stare at local talent, and football chat breaks. It took twenty minutes to recover from seeing a colleague take a "poo strike".