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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to not want dp to wash his overalls in the washing machine?

72 replies

Dollslikeyouandme · 02/01/2014 19:30

Ok need to know if in being stupid here.

Won't say what he does or it would definitely out me.

But he works in very dirty places most days, and gets covered in shit, literally.

Today for example he's told me he's been in a big tank which was completely covered in rat shit, and he got covered in it. And he said he hopes he doesn't get ill. And no he doesn't get any special particular protective clothing.

I don't want these washed in the machine with our clothes towels and tea towels.

Aibu?

OP posts:
mousmous · 02/01/2014 20:10

yanbu to not want to wash his things together with the normal laundry, but yabu no not let him wash at all.
do a maintainance wash after and/or use desinfectant in the wash.

could you get a cheap mashine to put in the shed just for his work clothes?

ElBombero · 02/01/2014 20:12

I would all them on a hot wash on their own

Binkyridesagain · 02/01/2014 20:14

The minimum his company should be doing is providing the minimum the law states they should, which is PPE.
.www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/PPE.htm

They also should be ensuring that the PPE is kept in good working order and cleaned if appropriate

"(1)
Every employer shall ensure that any personal protective equipment provided to his employees is maintained (including replaced or cleaned as appropriate) in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair" HSE, Personal Protective equipment at work, second edition.

He should not be working in these conditions, it is illegal and dangerous.

You can report to HSE, you don't need him to do it.

revivingsnowshower · 02/01/2014 20:16

It sounds really dodgy. I would advise him to look for a new job. In the meantime buy some protective equipment himself, like a mask, gloves better than getting sick.

Joysmum · 02/01/2014 20:20

I don't see the issue. I have a horse and am always covered in shit so wash my jods and my running gear separately.

MsVestibule · 02/01/2014 20:21

He really, really needs to report his firm to the HSE. If he won't do it, you should. It enrages me that some companies would rather put the health of their employees and their families at risk because they're too stingy to provide (in this case) the correct protective clothing.

Seriously, make the call, anonymously if necessary.

mrsjay · 02/01/2014 20:22

you can buy protective disposable clothing online it is quite reasonable google it dh isnt here to ask

MsVestibule · 02/01/2014 20:23

joysmum is horse shit hazardous to people's health? As it's used commonly used as a manure, I'd guess not. Rat shit and urine, however, can cause serious illnesses in humans.

Mintyy · 02/01/2014 20:25

Yanbu. Of course his employer should be providing him with laundered protective clothing.

This is the sort of thing that Trade Unions were good at. And where are they now, huh?

Iamsparklyknickers · 02/01/2014 20:26

Aside from the protective clothing/washing issues I would be getting him booked into the GP and asking what jabs he needs (a more anxious person might ask for a full health check based on what he's already been exposed to tbh)

It's not just Tetanus he'll need, but possibly things like Hepatitis B/C etc. He'll probably have to pay for them to.

I know there's a lot of cowboy employers about, but letting them away with their bollocks isn't the way to do things. If they took their duty of care in anyway seriously they would find it isn't a massive hassle once they got their responsibilities straight.

Iamsparklyknickers · 02/01/2014 20:30

Isn't on the danger with faeces less from animals that eat a vegetarian diet? I'm pretty sure some cultures make utensils from shit and there's that posh coffee that has to be shit out of a bat or something...

Saying that I doubt wading about knee deep in horse manure all day every day would be great for you - psychologically if not physically Wink

mrsjay · 02/01/2014 20:31

It's not just Tetanus he'll need, but possibly things like Hepatitis B/C etc. He'll probably have to pay for them to.

this really

Binkyridesagain · 02/01/2014 20:33

It is not essential for him to be immunised, it is a choice, that is more about peace of mind rather than protection. DH has worked in the shit industry for 25years has not been immunised and has never had health issues because of where he works, infact his immune system is pretty robust.

brettgirl2 · 02/01/2014 20:34

joys you wash your jods separatelyâ?¦ I am clearly a scuzz (although I was rugs separately Wink )

op yanbu that sounds totally gross, even by my seemingly low standards Blush

ExitPursuedByAChristmasGrinch · 02/01/2014 20:40

I have a bag for washing rugs and numnahs to stop the hair clogging up the machine. Best present ever.

AnUnearthlyChild · 02/01/2014 20:42

Good grief what dreadful conditions, binky is correct. It is in the health and safety at work act 1974. They MUST Provide ppe.

Rat shit is full of pathogens. If there's pigeon shit, which there often is in that environment then he is at risk of inhaling the dust and getting all sorts of lung diseases.

He should have a risk assessment, and method statement, which needs to be written down if there are 5 or more employees, If not then the employer is in deeper shit than he works in.

The poster who mentioned horse poo. Good point, but First, horse poo caries very few pathogens compared to rat shit, and second, it isn't a workplace, you aren't obliged to go to the horse in order to make a living, the laws are totally different if it is work.

Op, he needs to be really vigilant for weils disease. That is really scary.

VivaLeBeaver · 02/01/2014 20:45

I spent ten years washing clothes covered in human shit (from clearing sewers) in the washing machine at 40degrees in same load as other stuff as well.

I think if you washed them on their own at 60degrees you'd be fine.

VivaLeBeaver · 02/01/2014 20:46

Btw I had a hep a vaccination but had to sort it myself at my GP.

morethanpotatoprints · 02/01/2014 20:50

OP, what about one of those baby baths, bigger than a bucket and they can soak in their as long as you like, preferably outside.
My dh used to work on old cars, for himself (not profession) and I had the same problem with oil and grease.
Soak first, stir round a bit, rinse with clean water, then maybe put them in the machine.

Mintyy · 02/01/2014 20:54

Hang on Viva, are you saying that a person who is employed to clean sewers is expected to wash their own work clothes at home in their domestic washing machine?

I am really really really really horrified by that.

mrsjay · 02/01/2014 20:57

my husband had to wash his own overalls he had used to be up to his arms and sometimes waist in shit although he did have protective clothing sometimes, but some of the earlier companies he worked for he didn't. he also worked in disgusting filthy houses and i washed his minging smelly overalls,

Original poster
Dollslikeyouandme · 02/01/2014 21:00

Thank you for the replies and links, I know know that I am not bu.

Trying to get dp to see that may be more difficult. I've just tried to speak to him about masks, protective clothing, he's not interested, said its just the way it is, and he'll go to a launderette.

There's no way he will challenge his employer, he wouldn't even ask for a first aid box fit his van.

They are a small business and basically just don't give a shit, excuse the pun. I've met his bosses and they really are greedy a holes.

I also don't think dp has a very good understanding about how diseases spread. I've just mentioned tetanus, he said he's had one (he hasn't) I mentioned hepatitis, he asked 'what's that'?

He isn't clued up on germs etc, he's one if these who thinks you get a cold from being out in the rain. For example we cooked a chicken the other day, he cut open the chicken packet then placed the scissors straight onto the CLEAN draining board with the clean washed dishes. Then he put foil over the raw chicken to roast, decided the piece of foil was too small, and put the foil that has just touched the raw chicken on the fucking dinner table.

OP posts:
Binkyridesagain · 02/01/2014 21:06

If he won't do anything about PPE then you do it, report the company to HSE. If they are lax on this then they will be lax in other aspects as well and it will be only a matter of time before something serious happens. Each employee as a duty of care to themselves and others. If he knows of any neglect in the provision of safety equipment or clothing then it is his duty to report it to his line manager or failing resolution to report to his union or the HSE.

AnUnearthlyChild · 02/01/2014 21:08

Google symptoms of weils disease.

It is a big risk in those who come into contact with rats. If he starts with flu like symptoms, get him medical attention ASAP and explain he works near rats.

It is deadly if not treated quickly, and there are cases of people being sent home from the doctor because it is 'only flu ' it can befatal if not treated. I lived with a very gung ho whitewater canoeist. But he impressed on all of us that if he went down with flu after being out that we get medical attention and explain the situation to a doctor.

AnUnearthlyChild · 02/01/2014 21:13

Binky is right (again)

Report the company. Anonymously if necessary. If there isn't any kind of health and safety culture, someone will get hurt. Badly.

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