Did a stupid thing

[27saxophone]

Steel Blue also make a very wide range of sizes, to fit all the hard to fit blokes. My last job included our company medical centre, and we had blokes in there with incredible pain in their feet from using the wrong size boots. Too big and they're useless because your toes are behind the safety cap); too small and you can't walk properly. And while you might not like lace-ups, they give much better support for your ankle on a building site or other uneven terrain.

As for 50 years wearing thongs: good luck to him. Just don't ask me to pay the bills (on Medicare) when something does go wrong.

Cheers,

[kiwigeo]

Graham, my firewood supplier has never worn shoes or boots. He wears thongs exclusively. A pair lasts him a month. The first time he turned up with a load of wood I said, "? Where's your boots/". Never worn 'em, never wil, he saysl. I asked him why he doesn't wear steel caps. He said he's never seen thongs with steel caps. He's over 50 and never had an accident in his thongs so he rationalises that he's saved thousands over the years by NOT wearing boots.

All due respect to Graham but his reasons for not wearing boots indicate that he hasn't done a full risk analysis. He's gambling with both his health and livelihood by not wearing at least enclosed footwear.

This story reminds me of the two numbskulls who rocked up to my local pub last weekend on their big beefy Harleys....wearing thongs and shorts. A big tough biker with his feet worn down to ragged stumps after a spill aint so tough.

[Cured]

I was told by a safety shoe manufacturer who was based in Richmond, Sydney. When he closed down several years ago, he was the last boot manufacturer in Oz, He off-shored his manufacturing to China. Now one size fits all!
Its fine if you have a normal foot but I have a broad high arch foot there is very little out there that will fit.Unless you can afford $800 custom make orthopedic shoes from Melbourne.

[kiwigeo]

I was told by a safety shoe manufacturer who was based in Richmond, Sydney. When he closed down several years ago, he was the last boot manufacturer in Oz, He off-shored his manufacturing to China. Now one size fits all!
Its fine if you have a normal foot but I have a broad high arch foot there is very little out there that will fit.Unless you can afford $800 custom make orthopedic shoes from Melbourne.

Not quite right..According to the Rossi website their boots are Australian made.

One size fits all...not so. I spend half my life in safety boots and have tried numerous different makes and styles. I can tell you they arent all the same size and they differ markedly in fit and design. My current boots are Mack lace ups and theyre ok. My slip ons are a 10 year old pair of Kiwi made boots (forget the brand) and theyre still as good as new.

Cheers Martin

[issatree]

Hi Specialist,
Many years ago, I had the same problem, of Steel Caps taking the skin off your toes.
I told my Foreman that I had no problems previous, so how come I can't get the same Brand of boot again. Can't get them the young guy tells us.
The older Storeman turns up, wants to know the problem. Sure we've got those OLIVER'S 6 Hole Desert Boots, never had a problem after that.
Moral ; There are DIFFERENT SIZES, of Steel Caps, & Oliver use the big ones.

Oliver's were made in Ballarat Vic., but that was almost 20yrs ago.
Still see them around at Swap Meets or Field Days.
Regards,
issatree.

[Cured]

Not quite right..According to the Rossi website their boots are Australian made.

One size fits all...not so..... My current boots are Mack lace ups and theyre ok. My slip ons are a 10 year old pair of Kiwi made boots (forget the brand) and theyre still as good as new.

Cheers Martin

Thanks for your comment Martin, One size fits all was a tongue in cheek comment. If you had lived and worked across S.E. Asia like myself for several years you would get to know the meaning and frustration of that statement.
And, as it happens I have a set of brand new Mack safe boots sitting in the cupboard I can no longer use. As I now suffer major feet swelling through diabetes and have to be extra careful of circulation, feet/toes lose is common in over 50's with diabetes. So I'm probably the only one in Oz who wears a set of Bata safety boots with the back cut-out that fit like slippers when I tinker around the shed in my retirement...

Here's to the Next Life, Pete

[kiwigeo]

Sorry to hear about the diabetes problems Pete. The boots with the back cut out sounds like a sensible solution....

Cheers Martin

[opelblues]

Well to all boot users, after 20 years of construction work, I fell naked if I don’t have my work boots on, had to go to a dinner last weekend in Gladstone and for the fist time in 12 years I had to buy shoes. The last 2 sets of boots have been given to me by a mate in the AAF, great boots.

My work boots are my dress boots, are my dancing boots, beach boots, camping boots, my going out to dinner boots, night clubbing boots. On there last one I have had problems getting in to the night clubs with the boot on; the security person has said I could hurt some one with them. Yes that is possible I could stand on there toe's. “Yes” was the answer. To cut a long story short I pointed out that a stiletto from a ladies shoe could and will do more damage given a smaller area of contact. And that they should not be allowed in to a club, under safe management of patrons guidelines. Well I have great nights a the clubs

[Christos]

My work boots are my dress boots, are my dancing boots, beach boots, camping boots, my going out to dinner boots, night clubbing boots.

Now that is going over board. Hang on do you go swimming in them?

[opelblues]

no!!! that would be just stupid, anyway i would look kinda silly with just with my boots on swimming

[kiwigeo]

Bouncers are a safety hazard.

[mjmjm]

I wear Steel Blues all the time. Most comfortable footwear I've ever found. Wear em at work and I wear a fancier model at home. Can't be without em.

[Keith_W]

On the 16-7-09 I was involved in a workplace accident, a forklift ran over my foot resulting in 7 weeks in hospital and 8 operations. The attached picture is the end result, my forefoot was amputated. At the time I was not wearing steel cap boots and they would has not offered any protection for that type of accident, they could have actually made the incident worse being that the cap would have collapsed onto the toes.
I have returned to work part time for the moment and my company that I work for are suggesting that I get some taylor made steel cap boots for safety. A question was posed to a workplace specialist on the need for me to have steel caps boots and the answer was that I need to wear them, I agree for the uninjured foot but as I dont have any toes on my right foot it seems a bit ridiculos. Taylor made boots are going to cost well over $1000.00 to be made.

Regards,
Keith.

[Scribbly Gum]

Like so many others I only wear steel caps in the workshop.
I have found over decades now, that if I buy a pair slightly oversize, then use the arched inserts from my old joggers, they are not only comfortable but safe as well. Once or twice I have had to use two sets of old jogger inners, but often just the one. It depends on the fit.
Usually the sole of my joggers wears out before anything else and the inner sole is still usable.
As I said, I've been dong this for as long as I have been wearing steel caps.
Works for me.
Cheers
SG

[AlexS]

I bought a set of Oliver slip-ons recently, and they are the most comfortable steel-caps I've ever had. Don't feel like safety shoes at all.