OK, not exactly a 'Safety' item, but this was brought up in another forum, so I copied what I posted and placed it here for all concerned:
Word of warning about job boxes:
DO NOT get one that does not capture the padlock(s) you use. If you get one that uses loose padlocks (meaning, you remove them from the box to open it) you still have a security threat. Generally, the cheapest boxes use this method.
Here's how it works:
At the start of the day, you unlock your box, and what do you do with the padlocks? Set them inside the box, right? And you think you're safe at the end of the day when you pop them back on and go home. WRONG!
What a savvy theif does is suanter by your job box, and takes a peek at what brand & model of padlock you have. He/she then goes out and buys padlock(s) just like the one(s) you use. When the time is right, the crook replaces your locks with their own.
Now, at the end of the day, you dutifully slap the padlocks on, and beat feat outa there with a totally false sense of security. That night, the theif shows up with the KEY TO HIS/HER locks that YOU INSTALLED, and speedily takes off with all your goodies stashed inside.
To add insult to injury, the SOB will lock the box back up, so when you come in the next day, your key won't work. So you either have a locksmith come out, ask the welder on the site to cut it open, or drill out the locks.......... only to find an empty box!
If the cops or jobsite security happen to come along and see what's going on, all the theif has to say is, "Well, it's MY box.... look, I even have the key to it!"
This HAS HAPPENED at jobsites I've worked at, so I strongly recommend the brands that must have the padlocks physically installed inside the box itself. Yes, they can be swapped, but not in a matter of seconds as in the scenario above. It would take several minutes and a few tools to do, so the theif will move on instead.
If you do get one that requires you to remove the padlocks, at least lock the shackles together before placing them in the box for the day.
Theiving ba***ards are everywhere these days. You have been warned.
Word of warning about job boxes:
DO NOT get one that does not capture the padlock(s) you use. If you get one that uses loose padlocks (meaning, you remove them from the box to open it) you still have a security threat. Generally, the cheapest boxes use this method.
Here's how it works:
At the start of the day, you unlock your box, and what do you do with the padlocks? Set them inside the box, right? And you think you're safe at the end of the day when you pop them back on and go home. WRONG!
What a savvy theif does is suanter by your job box, and takes a peek at what brand & model of padlock you have. He/she then goes out and buys padlock(s) just like the one(s) you use. When the time is right, the crook replaces your locks with their own.
Now, at the end of the day, you dutifully slap the padlocks on, and beat feat outa there with a totally false sense of security. That night, the theif shows up with the KEY TO HIS/HER locks that YOU INSTALLED, and speedily takes off with all your goodies stashed inside.
To add insult to injury, the SOB will lock the box back up, so when you come in the next day, your key won't work. So you either have a locksmith come out, ask the welder on the site to cut it open, or drill out the locks.......... only to find an empty box!
If the cops or jobsite security happen to come along and see what's going on, all the theif has to say is, "Well, it's MY box.... look, I even have the key to it!"
This HAS HAPPENED at jobsites I've worked at, so I strongly recommend the brands that must have the padlocks physically installed inside the box itself. Yes, they can be swapped, but not in a matter of seconds as in the scenario above. It would take several minutes and a few tools to do, so the theif will move on instead.
If you do get one that requires you to remove the padlocks, at least lock the shackles together before placing them in the box for the day.
Theiving ba***ards are everywhere these days. You have been warned.
