Shorts

[mikienorth]

In the construction industry, there are, or were, I left the industry in 2002, no bans on shorts despite the possibility of injuries sustained by cuts and lacerations to unprotected legs. If an edge is sharp enough to cause the injury to the leg described, it should be the edge or object that is protected against causing the cut rather than a leg, an arm, or a neck being protected against the possibility of being cut. PPE is the last resort of Risk Assesment, not the first.

Wearing shorts/t-shirts leaves areas of flesh open to cuts and injuries. We all know this, but banning shorts is not the right way to prevent these injuries. Protecting the edges that cause the injury is the correct way to stop them. Flightcase splinters should be treated the same way. If the aluminium trim is damaged to a point it can cause injury, then it should be replaced. People are provided with gloves to gaurd against some injuries, not all, and again, the issuing of PPE is supposedly the last resort.

If shorts are banned in a venue I work within, then I would expect to be provided with a replacement pair of long work trousers, or be refunded with the money expended on a suitable pair by my employer. Until they specify what I should wear to work, then I am free to wear what I want. I present a suitable image, even in shorts. My shorts are not a cut off pair of jeans, they are not ankle length 'baggy erics', they are a pair of purpose made work shorts, and as such suit the tasks I am doing whilst wearing them.

 

If shorts are dangerous why aren't exposed arms? Or are they less likely to get splinters/trapped/lacerated whilst handling flattage than legs are when handling flightcases? Or do we all have to wear full length head to toe romper suits whilst working?

 

People on shorts on motorcycles should be slapped with a wet fish. Troy Bayliss lost a finger last week in a high speed crash (World Superbike Champion) and he was wearing all the protection money can buy. He'd most likely lost his hand if not more if he wasn't protected top to toe. In my weekend motorcycle involvement I must be fully protected. The people I work for provide a set of overalls for this purpose. What I wear beneath those overalls is my choice, as is what I don't. In midsummer heat it isn't good, but then neither is being on fire.

 

If I am expected not to wear shorts then I should be provided with an approved level of work clothing, or an approved list from which to buy. Its called uniform, and we used to wear them at school.

[RustyBrooks]

I've only worn trousers two or three times in the last 5 years of work, find trousers restrictive, hot, and uncomfortable. Also expensive to replace everytime they get snagged, legs just seem to brush the damage off, or, worst case, fix themselves, no sewing required (unless its really bad) Maybe the sight of a pair of legs helping the scene change in a regional theatre could casue a flutter of diaproval from die hard theatrical fans.

 

I work predominantly in the music field, and think that if you need to get on stage, then there is no hiding the fact that your there, so why bother with all the "technician" attire, just hop on in shorts and a tee...

 

Yes, if your in a live scene change and on stage in a theatrical piece, then you should be in blacks top to toe, and no excpeptions, but then you should also be getting blacks money for being there in the first place!

 

I would argue, that unless this is the case, then you should wear what you like, and we should banish black trousers, shirts, and the ubiquious daft belt full of crap tools asside, and be a little less snobbish about the techincal "blacks"

 

Sat on a tour bus after getting a nice new delivery of some brightly coloured swag, you'll see me at the forefront of the anti-everyday blacks march.

 

Probably completly missed the point

[Dave]

Apart from the aesthetics, I think clothing requirements should be done, like everything else, on a risk assessment basis. I would say that trousers do provide a degree of protection which shorts don't, but in some situations that isn't needed.

 

On a vaguely related note, I once remember reading a bit of research about injuries to road-workers who hit live cables with pneumatic drills. The resulting short circuit apparently liquifies the cable and the blade of the jackhammer, resulting in a jet of molten metal squirting upwards at the worker :P. The research found a strong correlation between dying and being topless - in other words wearing just a thin t-shirt was frequently sufficient to make the injuries non-fatal (but still very unpleasant I'm sure).

[GridGirl]

If I had worn trousers last summer in London, I think I would have died. It was far too hot to even consider wearing trousers; though I'm not a huge fan of the shorts-and-steel-toe-boots look, it's better than heat exhaustion!

[Modge]

try steels, shorts, no t-shirt but a Hi-Vis vest. Worked for me the summer I was working on a building site (note: the sun tan you get from a high vis looks mighty weird when you go on holiday - the v on my chest looked very much like I'd been wearing girls tops. not good. at all.)

 

In general though work. Shorts. the 2 go together. If you're not too hot for trousers you should work harder.

[shadaca]

The steelies/shorts look is not nessacerily good for us ladies, however practicality wins out, and on open air fit ups its the only option really, and makes the difference later when it gets cold and you put on trousers, that way I find I feel warmer, however it may just be in my head.

 

 

What are the best brand of shorts to wear? I'm liking crag-hopper ones

[Modge]

What are the best brand of shorts to wear? I'm liking crag-hopper ones

Also easily the best I've found. Zip up pockets being a notable plus as is the fact they're seem to be pretty good at letting the heat out.

 

and I've wouldn't say shorts and steels was a good look for a guy, it's just that not giving one about ones appearance comes more naturally to guys.

 

edit to make marginally more sense

[Grum]

What are the best brand of shorts to wear? I'm liking crag-hopper ones

 

 

That's easy. Look no further than Snickers. Worked in a carpet warehouse when I was 18, would go through the knees of a pair of jeans every 2 weeks but my trousers from Snickers lasted over a year!!!!!

 

The range of shorts they do comes in various colours (including black) they have loads of handy pockets and aren't too badly priced considering how long they will last you.

 

P.S.

 

While you're buying some of their shorts check out their range of work gloves.

 

P.P.S.

 

No I don't work for Snickers.

[shadaca]

*pootles off to find some of these miraculous shorts*

 

Will they make me thinner and a better technician too? Do they have a kettle attachment?!

 

In all seriousness they do look good. They do have lots of pockets, but are they big enough for stuff?

[Grum]

Sadly there's no kettle attachment and they probably won't make you a better technician but.......

 

They DO have 2 very large pockets that are more like bags sewn to the waist band. They're great for using as a nail pouch or similar. When you dont need themk they fold up and tuck into your "normal" pockets so you don't have them flapping about.

 

Check here Snickers

[mikienorth]

I bought a pair of snickers shorts a couple of summers ago. They are exactly the same as my trousers, they just stop above the knee, where the pockets (useful bits) run out.

 

As previously mentioned....

 

They have done two years so far with no problems, just as my two pairs of long trousers have. Cotton Canvas/Canvas Plus is the type of fabric mine are made from. Not the shiny type of fabric they do, but the other.

 

In the classifieds is a linky to snickersonline? Offering a discount for BR members if contact is made prior to the order.

 

Beware the proprietary sizing though. Look into it carefully before ordering.

 

Three sets of trousers, into their third year with no signs of wearing out. Worth the money (In the region of £150) IMO. And all tax deductable (purchased from a workwear retailer, obviously workwear and all that)

[Guest active]

Our offer of a 5% discount and free delivery to any BR members does still stand but I can only organise this if you email me first with a contact telephone number preferably so if anyone is interested then have a look at:

 

www.snickersonline.co.uk or www.workwearshop.co.uk

 

The Blaklader range from Sweden is far superior IMHO than the Snickers range and if its not on workwearshop then have a look at www.blaklader.com

 

Regards

Mike

[LewisHeinz]

I find that they aren't too casual if you are rigging or don't go on stage during a blackout in a live show. When I am prompting or Lx/FX operating I tend to wear them but if I was doing scene changes I would opt for black trousers because otherwise it would defeat the object of being invisible.

 

Lewis

[Al Cain]

I bought some new trousers and shorts today, they are DeWalt ones. good build, nice ammounts of pockets, space for knee pads, hammer loop/radio loop.

 

I am interested to see how they stand the test of time/my first gig with them......

 

Clicky here for a linky!

[charlyfarly]

That's easy. Look no further than Snickers. Worked in a carpet warehouse when I was 18, would go through the knees of a pair of jeans every 2 weeks but my trousers from Snickers lasted over a year!!!!!

 

I'm a fan of Snickers as well. The Pirate(!) trousers are great, the kneepads are luxury when you are grovelling around taping down cables!

 

 

http://www.snickersdirect.co.uk/snickers-w...ds-p-82094.html