You guys that make the move into your own business I have great respect for, I could not, too much to worry about. And I truly wish you success.
Forget about OSHA and the NEC (for a moment)
How will your family afford to get buy if you are injured or killed. (please really think on this, what would happen if you can not bring in the $$)
I doubt that any of the electricians hurt or killed thought it would happen to them.
I believe in freedom of choice if you want to expose yourself to danger that's your choice.
But if you have people working for you that's different.
How will you feel calling somebody's spouse or parents to say there loved one is hospitalized or dead because they did not have protection?
IMHO If you can not afford Basic PPE you are not ready to be in business, any more then if you did not have a vehicle to carry your stuff to the job.
You would not have gone on your own without a truck, ladders, power and hand tools, all this cost a lot, but you found a way to pay for it.
