Good and well made workwear is the best investment anyone in the building trade can make. Far more important than your tool-set, your ass sorted hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, picks and shovels is your clothing. This can be likened to the military where uniform and especially footwear are considered the prime factors in allowing a soldier to function.
Proper work clothing should do many things, but here is a summary of the main purposes and functions that it will provide:
- Naturally the prime area of concern must be safety. It is imperative that sensitive and vulnerable areas are protected. Hence sturdy work boots or even rigger boots are a must to protect feet from impalement or crushing. It is also important that these boots afford a good level of grip and moveability so that the wearer has a suitable freedon of movement. Trousers/ Overalls, Gloves and Headwear should also be worn in keeping with the specifics of the industry involved to protect areas most likely to be at risk.
- A secondary, yet imperative requirement of workwear is that it provides comfort. Clothes should not restrict movement and should provide a good level of protection from the elements. Most workclothes now have padding and reinforced areas to protect the wearer. They also have brought into the industry new materials such as GoreTex and other water resistant finishes which simultaneously allow the body to breate and provide protection.
- Of course far less important than the above reasons, but one, nontheless a contributory factor in choosing workwear is one of fashion. Workwear in now made by some leading brands who also have a foothold and influence on the highstreet such as Caterpillar, Timberland and Helly Hansen. Simply workwear, an online retailer of workwear and apparel have good selection of just such workwear in the section : work jackets, similarly a thorough selection of work boots is to be found in their safety footwear section. It is interesting to note how the fashion industry has been influenced by both military and other such rugged trades’ work uniforms.
In summary, a builder or other such tradesman needs to equip himself just like a soldier, with military precision. Careful thought needs to be applied with regards to protection, mobility and style ( even soldiers care about how they look you see. )
I keep hearing about people needing cash now, needing to purchase something now.. there is of course, if you are over 50 and have funds tied up in a pension scheme to which you no longer contribute, the option of Pension Release.
I have had many arguments in the past about instant gratification and all that. We live, no doubt in an increasingly consumerist society where most people are not happy to wait for anything. Previous generations used to save up for a holiday, save up for a car, or save up for a deposit on a flat, often making great sacrifices in order to do so. Nowadays we put it on a credit card, or, in the case of a mortgage, look for a 100% or even 110% loan to get us on our way.
These changes in spending patterns highlight a change in the psyche of the nation. There are several factors which have some to play in creating this environment :
- There has been an increasing dumbing down in the media, it would be impossible to argue that the quality of products has not diminished markedly over the last 20-30 years.
- American / Western Consumer Culture has had a large affect on the advertising culture in Great Britain, adverts per viewing time ratio has increased and upgrade culture is encouraged. Nowadays we are engendered with the illogical feeling that old is no good. We are so bombarded with out with the old and in with the new that we fall for this consumerist trick. Many people now look upon their High Quality (CRT) Televisions as if they are some sort of anachronism in the home, Surely you should have a LCD/ Plasma Screen? Why? Why also do we look upon an extravagantly purchased mobile phone as
- We have been ( though current economic climate may not support this for much longer) offered outstanding incentives to get into debt. The continual nationwide increase in house prices has put so many people into an apparently powerful financial situation that they have been able to borrow heavily on the equity and get into large debts. The offers of interest free credit cards has led more and more people into the buy now, pay later culture.
More recently the economy has been hit with some worrying trends. The US subprime market has taken a battering and there have been repercussions on this side of the Atlantic also. Interest rates have wavered, putting less disposable cash in the pocket of the average man or woman. There has been the spectacular crash of Northern Rock in the UK and incremental interest rates have been the norm throughout the last year. It is reported that many lenders are imposing far stricter criteria on any new loan applications and that credit card companies are even reducing some people’s credit limits.
It is not surprising, then, in this financial climate that many people are feeling the pinch and wanting to realise any assets available. For UK residents over the age of 50 there is the opportunity to release funds from private pension schemes – a process often referred to as Pension Release from unused pension schemes before the natural maturation date of the policy. If you are interested in pursuing this avenue it would always be recommended you speak to a FSA registered company like GroveFP who have a Pension Release website full of information and can help you come to an informed decision.
This pension unlocking may well reduce the total payable to the policy holder in the long run, but, in today’s society who cares, as long as you have the latest edition you are doing OK.
Builders need to wear decent safety or rigger boots during the course of their work. Theirs is one of the most hazardous professions when comes to feet.
There are all manner of menaces out there which can be broken down into three main areas of danger:
- Sharp Objects
- Slippery or uneven surfaces
- Heavy Materials
Sharp Objects
One of the nastiest injuries commonly affecting builders, or construction workers is impalement. Commonly this is a protruding nail of piece of metal. For this reason many specialist safety boots include a metal midsole as standard.
Heavy Materials
Crushing injuries are also a common occurrence on sites where heavy materials are transported. Bricks, Pipes, Furniture , even girders. Of course well made safety shoes will not protect you from all injury, but well constructed, well made shoes with good padding, steel toecaps and a rigid exterior.
Slippery or Uneven Surfaces
As, in a place like a building site, even with the best project management, it is likely that you will find discarded materials, or be forced to climb over piles of gear to get somewhere, it is important the footwear you choose will not only protect your feet from the dangers described above, but allow a reasonable amount of nimbleness and agility to prevent you from other potential hazards such as tripping or slipping.
So you will see from the information above that good care should be taken. Some shoes such as have specialised structures aimed at protecting feet from
Rigger boots are a safety boot used by tradesmen and construction workers generally in heavy construction work and strenuous working conditions. Rigger boots are superb safety footwear for any weather as they go nearly a third of the way up the leg and are, hence, able to keep ones feet dry and the bottom of your trousers protected and clean by tucking them into the work boot.
In general most rigger boots have similar distinguishing features such as breathable water resistant leather, fur lining, pull-on loops, steel toe cap and mid-sole ( to prevent impalement type injuries ) and are shock absorbent and oil and chemical resistant. All of these rigger boots are a standard S3 and comply with EN345-1
The very best in safety boots from Online are covered by the top brands such as Dewalt, Dickies, JCB, Dr. Martens, Makita, Sterling Safety and PSF – these offer comfort, protection and durability.
It is also a very good idea to check that whatever boots you buy are European standards for safety footwear EN 345-1, EN347-1.
Happy as I am with my Nokia N95, I cant help but get dragged into the nasty conumerist world of upgrades.
Just because the new one is in a shiny matt black, just because it hs a slightly larger screen than the normal silver Nokia N95, just because it has 8gig of memory, I do not feel the need to start pining for an upgrade or looking upon my relatively NEW mobile phone as kind of past it, or old hat, or passe.
You see, I am an adult and I am capable of viewing and judging things based upon their intrinsic quality.
I love Beans, particularly baked beans.
Then I found this website I love beans.co.uk and a, just astounded by the beauty of the webdesign and content.
I don’t care if they are Heinz or Branston Baked Beans just as long as they are on toast or baked potato with some cheese and a dash of Tabasco.
