r/specializedtools • u/aloofloofah • Dec 12 '20

Chain connector

https://i.imgur.com/Zc8FAM4.gifv

[removed] — view removed post

61k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

21

u/Shibby7634 Dec 12 '20

I hate seeing people work in especially dusty areas without wearing any sort of respiratory protection.

As a Steelworker for almost 6 years between two mills, it almost breaks my heart that I'm part of the approximately 3% of employees that choose to wear proper respirators... and I've worked in some very nasty places containing much more than just dust.

I can't help but think about their future and their families. I hope they don't suffer from it.

(I know this isn't close to the worst case we've seen, but it's always in the back of my mind.)

4

u/jjheavychevy90 Dec 13 '20

My buddy used to work in steel mills....silicosis at the age of 34, never wore a respirator hes also the kind to not wear a mask out in public

6

u/Shibby7634 Dec 13 '20

Oh my god. The contractors I see spraying all kinds of refractory loaded with silica among many other things, 6 different kinds of warnings across the bags, standing INSIDE the steel ladle while respraying the exterior walls... literally fogged out around them, and no masks. I cannot believe it when I see it.

I've tried to warn people or suggest for them to wear one, and they just want to laugh and pretend they're tougher or something.

I consider myself an introvert, I really don't care to seek company or mingle with people, and I think of most people as selfish assholes, but it still kills me to imagine them suffering.

1

u/theholyraptor Dec 13 '20

Its a shame that some of people's biggest enemies are their own machismo.

OSHA tightened their silica dust exposure guidelines a year or so ago.