By Mike Kinney
California Safety Gear owner Michael Sierra believes in equipping working people of Richmond and the Bay Area with the right safety equipment and clothing to get the job done.
California Safety Gear moved into its location at 611 23rd St. (near Roosevelt Avenue) about six months ago. Sierra, a San Francisco resident, said he chose to open his business to fill a local demand.The company supplies a wide variety of gear to keep people safe while on the job, including boots, helmets, high visibility vests, workwear and more.
“We also customize work attire for your company or special projects,” Sierra said.
Sierra said his shop’s biggest sellers are its high visibility neo-colored safety vests and rain gear.
“A majority of all our safety gear comes in high visibility neo colors,” Sierra said.
Sierra takes pride in providing products that can protect working-class people in Richmond. He says he also strives to keep his products affordable, particularly amid turbulent economic times. And that has kept customers coming.
“We sell enough safety gear to pay our bills and keep our business open,” Sierra said.
Richmond resident Don Gosney, who worked 53 years in heavy construction, mostly in building and maintaining petrochemical complexes, commends California Safety Gear for its “great selection.”
Gosney points out that Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules now require that construction workers wear high visibility clothing. And he notes that sizing for gloves, jackets, shirts and shoes isn’t always predictable when ordering online.
“We’re lucky to have California Safety Gear as an option right here in Richmond,” Gosney said.
Gosney also lauded California Safety Gear for offering items with logos emblazoned on the gear so the workers can show off their allegiance to the Raiders, 49ers, A’s and Giants.
Hearing about another happy customer always pleases Sierra, who knows that must mean his customer is always safer, too.
“I am trying to help support the outdoor workers of Richmond, so they can work safely and the quality safety gear needed to remain safe while they are working,” he said.
For more information, contact California Safety Gear at (415) 966-4444 or stop by the business at 611 23rd St. during its hours, which are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
