Good morning everyone. New member here. I am starting my apprenticeship next week and the training director told me to make sure that I have work boots with NO steel toes. I was just wondering why this might be? I have always worn steel toes when working around any construction. My boots currently have steel toes so I need to get a new pair. Does anyone have a recommendation for something comfortable and safe? Would a composite toe be good? No foot protection? Any thoughts or opinions would be helpful. Thank you!

The steel-toed work shoe has been known to trap toes when flattened by too much weight. I guess the thought is that, if the weight is enough to crush a steel toe, you're going to lose toes anyway.

The crushing weight may be temporary, but steel toe cups do not "bounce back" open after a crush.

Thats a new one to me. Every job I;ve ever been on has Required Steel toed work boots to even get on site!!

The crushing weight may be temporary, but steel toe cups do not "bounce back" open after a crush.

That may be true but a steel toe will protect your toes from lesser weights that would seriously injure them if non-safety shoes were worn.

As has been said, if the weight is enough to crush the cup your toes are dead meat anyway.

Wonder what OSHA has to say about this?

-Hal

Also new member. I have been reading this forum for some time. I have been on lots of jobs with steel toed boots and never ashed to leave. I have known some electricians that thought that the steel in the toe would ground them. I think that is just superstition. No reason that steel would conduct better than all that water your standing in ( the ditch or flooded basement.
As far a foot wear I would check with the old guys and see what they wear. Allways try to fit in. If the people training you like a certain type of tool, use it. Remember as the new apprintice, you job is to conform. Even if you see something that appears dumb do not point it out. Try to say around until you build time and gain experience. Lots of luck and work safe.

Red Wing make a boot with "Tech-Toe" that is a "Lightweight, nonmetallic toe cap that meets or exceeds ANSI safety standards. Does not trigger metal detectors".
http://www.redwingshoe.com/search-results.cfm?searchType=advanced&nt=Y&x=20&y=12

Wecome to the Forum (new) gentlemen. This Safety Director may have reasons for dictating 'no steel toecaps', but they're not logical from a crush load or electrocution viewpoint. I see no reason to put yourself at risk in ANY matter, even if you are 'only' the apprentice- you're on the team, and that's that. tkb's suggestion of a non-metallic reinforced boot neatly gets you off the hook, short-term, but as growler says - see what the other older guys are wearing. Bear in mind too that safety boots can also protect the soles of your feet from sharp objects- your are 100 times more likely to put a foot on a nail at work, than have an Abrams tank drop on your foot. Good luck in your chosen career, by the way.
Alan

Thank you for all the helpful advice everyone. It's much appreciated. We have a couple days "orientation" at the IBEW training center before we get our job placement so I will be sure to ask then. Just wanted some input from the brain trust on this site. Thanks again.

The last time I bought "steel toes" I was amazed at the number of manufacturers that now offer footwear rated EH (electrical hazard) to comply with NFPA70E.

Ok, what's the difference supposed to be?

-Hal

Believe it or not, but there are numerous "specialty" standards that footwear, and other clothing can attempt to meet; one of these has to do with not presenting an elestrically conductive path. There is also an opposing standard -one that requires conductivity- intended for anti-static worksites.

As far as "no steel toes",well, I have had jobs on both sides of that issue. Some require, some forbid, most don't really care.

What type of footwear does an electrician need? Something with a moderate amount of ankle support. Something with a firm footbed that will be comfortable during the hours you'll spend on a ladder- yet still has enough flex to allow you to climb and crawl. Something with a sole that has enough 'bite' to give you traction, buy won't collect mud or mark floors. Something that breathes in the summer, yet has room for extra socks in the winter.

Keep in mind that far more electricians are injured in trips and falls, than are ever hurt by electrical shock.

I used to wear steel toes as an occasional habit - usually during rough ins only. I'd wear my "sneaker boots" (nylon/leather hikers) during trim-out.

Then I dropped a length of 2" RMC on my toe while unloading it from the truck. Luckily, I'd worn my safety boots that day.

Worn 'em religiously since. Only on very rare occasions do I not put 'em on when going to work.

I have been wearing steel stoe boots for the last 12 years. They have saved my toes plenty of times. I even have my day off hikers in steel toe.

Steel toes are great. I just hate it when I drop something heavy on the bridge of my foot. It seems so much more painful when you expect to feel nothing at all!

My hiking shoes are steel toe too.

This is what I'm wearing now. I'm very happy with them for kneeling, crawling, squatting, & ladder/scaffold work.

Didn't say what the apprenticship was in... If its the com side, I would figure static being an issue. Some people are neurotic about static, although I don't see steel toes being an issue with it either.

Don't forget to ask what the reasoning is for this.

Personaly I wear steel toed sneakers. Doc Martin's, simular to these, but no laced slip-ons.

Funny thing about steel toes in the state DOT where I work: we can (or at least we once could) be reimbursed for our work boots up to $125 but ONLY if they're steel-toed!

Also, steel toes are required when working on railroad rights-of-ways. Somehow, I do not believe they will protect my toes if a train should happen to run over them...