How good are you?

[GarethM]

If you're going to press wild flowers it's kinda obligatory 

[Mrblue5000]

Farmer here, wouldn’t be using a chainsaw every day of the week but when I do the helmet is on and safety boots. Have the trousers ordered but I don’t think I will wear them every time I use a chainsaw. 
 

I bought a battery powered chainsaw and it just doesn’t feel like I am using a chainsaw at all. I think that’s a bigger danger, it is quiet so I don’t need ear protection so the helmet isn’t worn as much as it should be. As more of our gear is becoming battery powered we need to watch out for our safety and not become complacent. A bit like pedestrians and electric cars I suppose.

[Bill C]

I wouldn't ride the motorbike with out the gear on so I try to wear the PPE at all times but like most people short cuts do happen if the job is only just a minute or so to do. Even with the PPE, accidents still happen (trips to A&E to prove it) some caused by just bad luck others by mistreated equipment which is one reason I almost never lend out power tools anymore and if it's work supplied tools I check them before I use them, or other peoples bad work practices (can't cure or protect yourself against stupid people I'm afraid). 

[Kimosabi]

Nothing like sitting at 10 o'clock tea after strimming all morning eating your sandwiches completely stinking of dog shit, lovely 

[GarethM]

It just seems to stick to your nose hair.

[skc101fc]

1 hour ago, Kimosabi said:

Nothing like sitting at 10 o'clock tea after strimming all morning eating your sandwiches completely stinking of dog shit, lovely 

Think you need fresher bread and a different filling- My sandwiches never stink, 'specially not of dig shit.

😁

[Trailoftears]

8 hours ago, doobin said:

You don't need a helmet for brushcutting- it's just going to make you uncomfortable for no reason on a hot day.

 

You do, howver, ALWAYS need eye protection and ear defenders. I've stopped before and given someone strimming with no eye protection a spare pair of safety glasses- it give me shivers.

I must point out the having your face area occasionally plastered with dog,cat shit occasionally+an honourable mention to having the odd stone bounce off your head area at 30mph!Another thought-if you value your front teeth,keep your mouth shut whilst strimming!

[Trailoftears]

6 hours ago, josharb87 said:

 

how you feel about these young lads with what you see as a lack of PPE for strimmers, is probably how others view you with a chainsaw and lack of appropriate PPE.

 

As you pointed out, PPE is completely useless for days, months, years, decades even……. until the day an accident happens. Unfortunately no one knows when that day is!

 

the fact you’re asking these questions says to me that you know you ought to be wearing it, but for some reason you want to hear that you don’t really need to  

Nope,just curious to find out where I stand in the spectrum of Mr completely irresponsible>Mr totally perfect!It would seem I'm just about heading along a road to Mr totally perfect,doubt I'll ever arrive at that hallowed place tho.Also,think its good to occasionally take a good hard look at what personal risks different folks find acceptable.

[Trailoftears]

5 hours ago, Mrblue5000 said:

Farmer here, wouldn’t be using a chainsaw every day of the week but when I do the helmet is on and safety boots. Have the trousers ordered but I don’t think I will wear them every time I use a chainsaw. 
 

I bought a battery powered chainsaw and it just doesn’t feel like I am using a chainsaw at all. I think that’s a bigger danger, it is quiet so I don’t need ear protection so the helmet isn’t worn as much as it should be. As more of our gear is becoming battery powered we need to watch out for our safety and not become complacent. A bit like pedestrians and electric cars I suppose.

Good point,I often use a top handled makita chainsaw not so much for classic chainsaw work,but picking up branches to process onto a big bonfire-one hand on the branch/other wielding the little saw.Far,Far quicker than lopping all the stuff down to size.But as you say,it feels toy-like.

[Trailoftears]

I suppose in a way,what I was hinting at in starting this thread,that things aren't always completely black and white re: ppe.There are moments-particularly the way our Summers now seem to head,that you can find yourself grossly overclad.Your sweating/overheating by the minute,you cant see properly due to glasses etc fogging up.You end up feeling stressed and unhappy and dehydrating-and thats before you start doing whatever gig your'e on-that makes you a potential accident statistic in many ways?