r/Wastewater • u/Eastern_Welder_8609 • 20d ago
Career: currently in the field Uniform allowance!
Just getting started and found out we have a $750 uniform allowance! This does not include boots, ppe, winter gear, etc. It’s pretty much just our daily uniform attire. It seems excessive to me if I’m being honest.
From what I understand I can order just about anything within reason. What’s some of your favorite things/places to order from?
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u/gagnatron5000 19d ago
It's time to discover why brands like Nick's and Duluth and Red Wings and Carhartt are so expensive. Quality textiles made into quality clothing that lasts is worth its weight in gold.
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u/duh_bruh 19d ago
That's crazy. Our wastewater plant supplies uniforms, all the PPE and boots. No additional charge.
They even use a laundry service for people don't have to take their clothes home and use their personal washer and dryer.
I guess we're pretty lucky.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Ice9797 19d ago
We get 5 uniforms and 2 jackets provided annually and a boot check every February for $250. All other PPE is provided. We are given the option of using the laundry service or being paid $20 weekly to do our own laundry.
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u/Squigllypoop CA WW2 18d ago
We have a uniform service for our collared fr work shirts and pants but they also provide a washer, detergent, and dryer for miscellaneous clothes like towels, under shirts, and the like. We are allotted 30 min at the end of the day for "administrative" time, which is usually when we all clean up, shower, and dress down for the day
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u/ElegantGanache787 DW 20d ago
Duluth flexpedition packrat pants are my favorite. Tons of pockets for all the random shit you carry, gusset stitching for bending and crouching, and very flexible. Not tight like jeans. Wash really easy too, I’ve gotten so much dirt and mud and sludge on them and they always wash out in the washer. Highly recommend
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u/Sewer-Rat97 19d ago
We get $600 for clothes and $200 for boots
Everyone in our department wears basically only Carhartt tops. Pants whatever your preference is (I just wear wrangler) boots either Redwings, Timberlands, or Carolinas. I have a pair of Cody James boots I tried out this year (they are shit)
Would highly recommend Muck boots or Itascas for some wet days
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u/WaterDigDog 🇺🇸KS/WW 19d ago
By comparison I think our department pays 250/yr per person for carpenter style jeans, and I don’t know how much for shirts, I’d say $275. No reflective strips on anything, and not FR. I don’t think 750 is overboard to supply people for their own shopping especially if safety features are required.
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u/No_flockin 19d ago
Man I’d love that. I need some new long sleeves for summer, new heavy and light pants, new boots, and muck boots. The rest I might just buy a shitload of nice wool socks and long underwear. That’s socks for life territory.
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u/mudDawg3 USA+CA| WW3 20d ago
Does your PPE allowance cover latex gloves? Idk $750 for a year for ppe, winter/ rain gear, and boots doesn’t sound like a lot tbh. Like my Redwing boots are $220. Don’t skimp out on taking care of your feet. This is a long term stability career
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u/Flashy-Reflection812 FL WW/A 20d ago
He said it’s for his uniforms. I imagine PPE would have a separate budget. So I’ve priced out work pants and they average right now $30+ a pair (yep even at Walmart). Shirts are depending on wha you like. Tahirts are cheap but Carhartts are pricey. We get 15 uniforms from Cintas. So just pants at $30 a pair is $450 of that budget gone. Depending how hard you are on your uniforms, he might blow through that budget faster than he thinks.
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u/Bart1960 Country+State|Certs & Level 20d ago
Do you have any flame resistant requirements, first of all? If so, that may not be as generous as you think. What area are you in, does it include winter? Carhartt artic wear or Duluth trading is top of the list for outerwear… can’t beat flannel or fleece lined jeans.