Hearing Protection - Use it or not?

[Vindingo]

I remember going to a music club here called Antone's when Clifford Antone was still alive. The music was so loud, my jeans were rippling and my bowels felt it. I asked the bartender to turn it down and he said, "I can't because then Clifford won't be able to hear it. He won't let us." It was then that I realized the bartender had ear plugs...
Tom

You didn't happen to catch SRV at Antone's? 

 

[Vindingo]

I wear foam ear plugs all the time.  I put them in first thing in the morning, and take them out at night.   

I have been riding motorcycles for about 8-9 years now, and didn't wear earplugs at first.  After commuting on the bike every day though, I started to notice the tinnitus.  I'm sure it was also made worse by power tools, but only wore plugs on the bike.  About a year ago I started wearing them in the shop because the tinnitus was effecting my sleep.  Now I can't working with out them.   

These guys make some awesome ear plugs: http://www.etymotic.com/ 

 

[upscale]

No,    Nothing should be mandatory. Only advised.   I hate stuff being enforced by law we are not kids.   Uk every one is treated like babies you can't do this and that and you're never responsible for your actions it's always some one else who's to blame.   

Only things which could harm others should be made mandatory you not wearing ears muffs only harms your self not any one else so is your problem.

Sorry, I can only partially agree with you. Yes, there's many instances of society being coddled these days, but it benefits society too. Every time you visit a doctor or your personal life is impacted by an injury, it costs the system money.

How many lives have mandatory seatbelts saved? I'm not ashamed to admit that a seatbelt saved my life and I have the picture to prove it. I've never had a problem wearing one, but many people do, people who wouldn't wear one unless it's mandated.

Whatever the injury, in our modern society, if someone gets hurt, society ends up bearing a large portion of the cost. That fact is inescapable.

 

[VictorL]

As a sidenote, I think that the Festool demo videos should feature folks wearing ear protection where necessary in the same way they wear eye protection.

+1

I think RIGHT safety practice should be mandatory shown on every commercial or broadcast shows.
(hearing and eyes protection, dust collection, dust masks when necessary, push sticks, blade guards, no free hand cuts)

No,    Nothing should be mandatory. Only advised.   I hate stuff being enforced by law we are not kids.   Uk every one is treated like babies you can't do this and that  and your never responsible for your actions it's always some one else who's to blame.   

Only things which could harm others should be made mandatory you not wearing ears muffs only harms your self not any one else so is your problem.

Jmb

My point is that many people learn how to use equipment from commercials and broadcast shows. I do watch  HDTV channel in gym. No sound, just pictures.  Sometimes hosts and crew carpenters show very dangerous behavior.  Such as cutting narrow stocks on the table saw without push sticks and blade guards. Dust clouds behind circular saw might look good on the TV screen, but in real life it ends up as lung disease. These show must educate people as well. Wear dust masks, ear protection and goggles for your OWN safety. Demolishing team should not act as pack of monkeys in the vegetable store. Backhoe is for work, not for play! (Yes, I've seen it couple times!).  Wood and construction dust IS dangerous!  These shows spark interest in DIY projects, but also propagate un safe practice.

VictorL