Factory Processor’s Boots
date: label: date made
content: 2007
label: used
content: 2007
name: label: used
content: McFarland, Thelma
label: maker
content: Norcross Safety Products, L. L. C.
notes: label: Description
content: These non-slip, waterproof boots were worn by Thelma McFarland, a fish processor working aboard the <I>Alaska Ocean</I> factory trawler in the summer of 2007. Manufactured in the USA, these “Xtratuf” boots are made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber.
label: Description
content: Processors work 12-hour shifts and, if the factory is busy, they may work an additional 3 hours, called a kicker shift. For most of this time, the workers are on their feet, standing at processing tables or conveyor belts, or walking from one station to another on grated walkways. These walkways, like the areas around the equipment where processors stand to work, are raised above the floor, allowing the water used in factory operations to run beneath the workers’ feet. Despite being elevated above any water flow, it is still essential for workers to wear non-slip, waterproof boots to keep their feet warm and dry.
label: Description
content: These boots are identical to those worn by deck hands. Most of the specialized clothing worn by workers and crew aboard the <I>Alaska Ocean</I> is provided by the company. Boots, however, are purchased by individuals, and are available in the on-board store. Felt insoles for the boots are available in the laundry and are washed frequently by laundry staff.
place: label: Place Made
content: United States: Rhode Island, Cranston
label: Associated Place
content: United States: Alaska
label: Associated Place
content: North Pacific
label: Associated Place
content: Bering Sea
label: Associated Place
content: United States: Pacific Coast
label: Associated Place
content: United States: Washington
topic: label: Subject
content: Fishing
label: related event
content: Contemporary United States
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Maritime
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content: Clothing & Accessories
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content: Work
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content: Industry & Manufacturing
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content: Natural Resources
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content: On the Water exhibit
label: Exhibition
content: On the Water
label: Exhibition Location
content: National Museum of American History
publisher: label: Related Publication
content: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website
label: Related Web Publication
content: http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Alaska Ocean thru Jeff Hendricks
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2007.0178.17
label: catalog number
content: 2007.0178.17
label: accession number
content: 2007.0178
objectType: label: Object Name
content: boots
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: neoprene rubber (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 15 1/4 in x 4 in x 11 1/4 in; 38.735 cm x 10.16 cm x 28.575 cm