Save the toes

[Captthundarr]

Since alot of folks will be back in the shop soon I thought I would get another Topic going. Foot safety is something most guys dont think about when they go out to the shop/garage. Just about every time I go out to the garage I have on a pair of old work safety shoes, steel toe and all. If you have ever dropped something with the slightest amout of weight to it on your foot/toes you will appriciate what I am talking about.

In August I went out to the garage to look for a relitively small chunk of plywood. As I wasn't going to do any thing with it right away I went out there with my tennis on. Bad move. As I pulled out the piece of my desire another half sheet, 2'x4'x 5/8" treated slid out of its resting place and fell, legnth wise, on edge, on my big toe. I will let the photos tell the tale.

Lesson learned. Short of just walking through the space. I will have reinforced toe footware on. The folks I have seen with flops, topsiders, and plain ol tenny's on - bless you and I want to spot you $20 the next time you go to the casino.

[Captthundarr]

The shoes I had on at the time. New Balance, quite comfy, no protection.

[Captthundarr]

The resulting purple toe. As I could "bend" my toe without wetting my pants I figured it ain't broke. The attached photos are booboo day + 1. It took alomst a full week for all of the swelling to go down. never did go to the doc, should have. I still couldn't bend the toe after 10 days then I just grabbed it and gave it a good yank and with a satisfing pop it was fuctionable once again. Not broke just a little dislocated.

[Captthundarr]

If you notice the light colored, horizontal line about 5/8" wide at mid toe, that would be the impact zone. makes me have to pee just looking at it. 

[Glen]

A Discovery camera guy stepped back an on my foot, lost a toe nail had to take a shot and meds in case of infection. It don't take much to screw things up.

[Captthundarr]

Glen, I was actually glad it wasn't the nail. Mom slammed the seat back in the Plymouth on that same toe when I was12 , lost the nail then, 42years ago. That still makes me gotta pee.

[tauruck]

I used to weld while wearing sandals. There's this dance that just comes naturally. You guys would probably call it the Miller Shuffle. On a serious note. A broken toe is no joke and although I don't own steel toe caps I wear boots.

[Tman]

I used to weld while wearing sandals. There's this dance that just comes naturally. You guys would probably call it the Miller Shuffle. On a serious note. A broken toe is no joke and although I don't own steel toe caps I wear boots.

I have done that dance!

[Frankie7799]

Ive broke the big toe on each of my feet in my 41 years, it hurts like a mother. Neither time was I in a shop working on anything. First toe involved alcohol and being pissed off when I was in my early 20s Second time was last summer playing soccer. Ouch! What does this all have to do with shop safety, not much other than maybe I should quit wearing the New Balances when im in a shop and get some good work boots with steel toes when I do go into someones shop to work. 

[gkabbt]

I used to weld while wearing sandals. There's this dance that just comes naturally. You guys would probably call it the Miller Shuffle. On a serious note. A broken toe is no joke and although I don't own steel toe caps I wear boots.

I have done that dance!

I just did that dance a few weeks ago working on the Rampage! Won't do it again! 

Gregg

[fredvance]

I used to weld for a living. I went to the Federal building, in my welding boots, and could not get through the metal detector with my boots on. 

[Peter Jack]

I don't know if the regulations are the same south of our border (they're usually similar) but if they are you should be able to find fully approved safety boots that use composites rather than steel for the toes and instep. I've been using them for a few years now. I like them because they're significantly lighter than those that use steel and us old guys like the protection with out the effort required to keep them walking. 

Pete

[Captthundarr]

Composites are great and most are rated comparable to steels. A decent leather work shoe/boot offers a lot mor protection than tennis shoes any day. A master of the obvious ain't I.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

I wear steel toed boots now and then -- when I feel that I might be in a situation where they'd be a good thing.  But I remember one time when I was visiting the shops at one of our local iron mines.  My company was picking up and recycling used oil filters, and either they'd have them all in a drum or I'd have to grab 'em, one at a time, and put them into one of our drums.  They're heavy and slippery, of course -- since they've been sitting with a bunch of other filters and getting drain oil all over them.  Well, sure enough, one got loose and feel on my steel-toed boot. But wouldn't you know it, it landed with the edge of the filter down and at a 45 degree angle, and it fell right at the END of the steel insert.  Heavy and missing the steel meant -- another broken toe for Jon.

Wear your safety garb, but still -- be very careful when you wear it -- you might need it even when you think you're safe.

[runt13]

you can train for the welding spark dance, by frying bacon in the nude......just saying!