Consumeristic waste of money?

[Syd_B]

Hi Folks.

 

I've just been on a 5 LANTRA H+S course ran over 3 weekends, and had this little gem of an exchange with one of the other candidates.

 

Me "I replace my ear defenders/goggles/forest helmet every year because its only £X,....."

Candidate "You replace it every year because its only £X, you're whats wrong with society, the west is too consumerist and everyone has to have the latest models..Rant..rant!"

Me "No, its because you cant tell if anything is damaged without expensive diagnostic kit, and I dont want to find out by the PPE failing! PPE is there to do a job, and cost you a great deal compared to a new skull/hearing aid etc."

Tutor "Anyway, blah blah"

 

I kind of respect the tutor for changing the subject, but more than a little annoyed that someone else thinks that me buying new PPE is the reason the environment is getting fooked up.

 

Has anyone else come across this, or agree with the other candidate? or do you agree that you should replace your PPE whenever you think it might be time to bin it, regardless of the manufacturers guide lines?

[Rich2484]

Before the due date if its knackerd.

 

I'm getting a new lid at the forestry show. Only because my ear defenders are getting knackerd.

 

It's generally down to the individual to make the call, unless its gone past the date, and if you have an accident and its one past the date, would an ins company cover you???

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

the truth is usually found in the middle way

 

 

Buddha

[Syd_B]

Before the due date if its knackerd.

 

It's generally down to the individual to make the call, unless its gone past the date, and if you have an accident and its one past the date, would an ins company cover you???

 

That was exactly what I was thinking, the visor is pretty much fine, but the lid has had bangs(nothing major) but its also fell of bonnets and stuff has been dropped on it, but it LOOKS fine, the muffs are scratched to buggery and filthy as hell, at the end of the day, like you say, would your insurance cover you if it fails? £30 is pretty cheep compared to being a cabbage!

[Chris Sheppard]

Personally, I'd tend to side with the other guy but if changing yours every year makes you happy then who's to say you're wrong.

 

I've always worn the Husky balance helmets and they have (apparently) a 5 year life from being taken out of the box if they aren't damaged before then. Never worn one right up to the 5 years yet but probably not been far off with an odd one or two.

 

If you suffer with them getting damaged by falling off bonnets etc, then maybe you should think a bit more about where you put it down

[Rich2484]

I thought it was five years anyway. Didn't matter what make it was.

[Chris Sheppard]

Not entirely sure, though do remember something about the old stihl ones only having a 3 year life, though they were that nasty to wear I don't think anyone lasted that long with one.

[Spruce Pirate]

There are people out there who insist changing them every 3 years - regardless of what the manufacturer says.

 

If you feel your ear defenders aren't up to scratch I'd say change them, you only get the one set of ears after all.

[Syd_B]

I thought it was 5 years too, but I think the reason I was so miffed is because of the way she accused me of being wasteful, a new TV every time sony put a new advert on the telly is one thing, a few bits of PPE every year tho?

 

There are people out there who insist changing them every 3 years - regardless of what the manufacturer says.

 

If you feel your ear defenders aren't up to scratch I'd say change them, you only get the one set of ears after all.

 

Thanks spruce.

[Stubby]

Personally, I'd tend to side with the other guy but if changing yours every year makes you happy then who's to say you're wrong.

 

I've always worn the Husky balance helmets and they have (apparently) a 5 year life from being taken out of the box if they aren't damaged before then. Never worn one right up to the 5 years yet but probably not been far off with an odd one or two.

 

If you suffer with them getting damaged by falling off bonnets etc, then maybe you should think a bit more about where you put it down

 

I use the same . Change the vizor from time to time when it lets stuff through and the ear defenders less frequently . Had to by the whole thing new once when it got run over by the arb truck !