Steel toe work boots...
Part of my job used to be field manager for projects I sold. That means visiting construction sites... places where construction boots are required by OSHA. Optionally, hard hats depending on the work being performed.As the workload increased, it became more difficult to visit every project as much of the time was spent traveling to and from the office to each project. Last year, we hired someone to handle the field operations. His responsibility (in addition to taking measurements for the cabinets we were contracted to provide) was to make sure the other trades did what we needed for a smooth project.
My guy is on vacation and two new projects of mine are moving along quickly. The general contractor needed my help as the electricians and plumbers are at the 'rough-in' stage and needed direction. The means I had to be there in his place.
I keep tools for the job in my car... measuring tape (several) laser level, angle finder, red spray paint, heavy black marking pens and steel toe work boots.
I arrived on the jobsite around 9am and had a set of cabinet drawings for each room. I went around marking lines (usually on the floor) for the center of the sinks, make notes where they have to put wood to support the cabinets and drop wires for electrical connections. Most everything went as planned with the exception of a few pipes coming up from the concrete slab that were nearly a foot off the mark and interfered with the location of the dish washer and sink cabinet. That's when I got out the red spray paint and marked the correct location.
Considered a normal adjustment in this business, the General Contractor will bring in a company to cut away some of the concrete so the pipes can be moved. I met the electrician and plumber to show them what I needed to change to make the layout work.
By 11am I had answered all their questions, measured everything I needed and marked all the locations for cabinetry. It was 97 degrees Fahrenheit when I got to my car (dripping with sweat) and I didn't bother changing back to regular shoes. I clumped clogged and stomped around the office all afternoon and didn't get those boots off until I got home around 8:30pm. My feet were aching from that ordeal and this morning I can still feel some pain from those steel toe work boots.
For those who don't know... OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a government agency that sets standards for worker safety. Most jobsites are strict about workers following safety regulations established by OSHA.
Comments (14)
I'm sure your accountant let you know your boots and every single tool you purchase (for anything) is a write off.
What I would contest is a waitress/waiter wearing specially made shoes (as they are on their feet for many hours) would be allowed... then I say the steel toe requirement should also apply here!
Instead of us having to claim them on our income tax, the company just supplied them for us. But then, they also sold them in the store - so it was just a matter of going over to the store and trying them on. :)
The manufacturer discontinued that style and I've tried at least 10 other styles and couldn't get the same comfort.
They had eyelets all the way up and the new styles have the 2 top holes with hooks that snag my pants legs and shred the bottoms.
Unless it was required not to slip, my first thought would be to have rubber sole cleats with less likelihood of accidentally catching the turf.
From the ones I've purchased, I believe they use the same size toe for all their models.
That means the wide styles I get have a standard width steel toe and it's cramping my feet.
In new Zealand these are known as Samoan safety boots
Also Google the term "handle the jandal"
Remember I wrote off a loose rattlesnake in the house as a security deduction for a client's tools. He did try to go to far by asking if he could write off a cannon the following year. As creative a mind I have I couldn't figure anything out for his profession - I could if a different profession.