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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

VivaLeBeaver · 02/01/2014 21:14

Mintyy, yes and that is one of the major national water companies.

Trubloff · 02/01/2014 21:16

Just asked DP about this. He's a dust & fume extraction engineer, responsible for passing/failing employers as to whether they meet the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.

Your DP's employers MUST provide him with PPE if he is working in a 'dirty environment' and if they are sending him into places where there is likely to be dust or other contaminants in the air they must provide him with appropriate face masks/breathing equipment.

HSE guidance here on COSHH regulations

Info here on hazards from bird/rat droppings.

DP says report them to HSE - which you can do anonymously - as they are clearly taking the piss.

greenfolder · 02/01/2014 21:23

Has he had info about weils disease? Hubby only works designing water treatment plants but all the companies he has worked for insist he has a note on his medical records because of the risk?

Trubloff · 02/01/2014 21:25

OP get him to read the COSHH regulations. It might be a bit of an eye opener as to how much risk his employers are taking with his health. I assume they don't have generous sick pay arrangements?

Santabroughtmethis · 02/01/2014 21:34

I feel your pain, my OH has very oily clothes sometimes covers in swarf which is painful when it gets stuck in your foot

He strips off in the kitchen, puts his clothes into a storage box and pops it away. Weekly wash on a hot wash on its own but I've ever got rid of the smells?

Original poster

Dollslikeyouandme · 02/01/2014 21:40

I just looked up weils disease and showed him, nhs website. It basically is everything he is exposed to. He just shrugged and said 'everywhere's the same'.

It's actually really got my back up now though I suggested he go in the office and have a word, I suggested we report his work anonymously, he won't have any of it, just says they won't do anything, it's a 'tin shed' whatever that means. Then he said if he gets flu he'll let me know.

I'm getting nowhere speaking to him and its winding me up now, had all this over the first aid box. The guys at his work aren't even properly qualified and they're dealing with electricity and gas.

I would love to report the bastards believe me but don't think that dp would be very pleased with me. He just seems to think its part and parcel.

And no they don't pay for sick and don't even like him taking his measly holiday allowance.

OP posts:

Binkyridesagain · 02/01/2014 21:45

PM me the company name and I'll report them for you.

revivingsnowshower · 02/01/2014 21:47

They are a very bad company and not everywhere is like that. Most are scared of getting sued/prosecuted. But I guess your dh is scared of losing his job and of course that could happen if company got prosecuted and closed down. I still think you should encourage him to get a new job, then you can report the company after he had left.

Trubloff · 02/01/2014 21:51

But everywhere is not the same. If it was DP would be out of a job but as it is his company can barely keep up with demand.

The majority of companies want to - and do - comply with the law when it comes to employee health and safety because it isn't worth the risk if they get caught out, and fined horrendously, when somebody gets hurt.

I'd still report them regardless of what he says. You can't be the only person to be concerned about how this lot operates.

LondonNinja · 02/01/2014 22:01

FGS, the company will end up killing someone. Awful risks.

Please report the company - someone needs to.

VampyreofTimeandMemory · 02/01/2014 22:03

i'm sorry about this OP but can someone please confirm that it's okay to put slightly shat on clothes (baby's, not mine) in the wash? Panicking now.

LondonNinja · 02/01/2014 22:09

You can, at a high temperature and add Napisan or Dettol if you don't have any.

I'd avoid mixing shat on clothes with tea towels etc.

LondonNinja · 02/01/2014 22:10

Or rinse in a bucket or bath of hot Dettoly water first it get the, er, bulk out.

DameFanny · 02/01/2014 22:11

I always washed nappies at 50 or 60 degrees with no problems - don't worry about that vampyre

Binkyridesagain · 02/01/2014 22:11

*Vamp" its fine.

DameFanny · 02/01/2014 22:12

I always washed nappies at 50 or 60 degrees with no problems - don't worry about that vampyre

VampyreofTimeandMemory · 02/01/2014 22:13

ooh i wouldn't mix any clothes with tea towels, i thought i was quite careful until i read this! thank-you!

Iamsparklyknickers · 02/01/2014 22:19

Yup (fresh especially) shit from one source on a hot wash and a bit of something to sterlise is fine - might want to up your service washes to be extra careful

It's when you start mixing multiple sources, species and time, and not wearing decent protective gear you want to start considering stronger solutions.

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 02/01/2014 22:23

It's a shame because so many work places are like this. And no-one wants to rock the boat because they make it so bloody uncomfortable for anyone who does. And in this climate who needs that?

I'd just wash them on their own on 90 degrees. You can get special bags to put them in. He could change before he comes home, but them in the bag them bung them in the washing machine.

Don't forget to see if you can claim tax relief. He might even be able to get a rebate. I got a tax rebate for washing my uniforms for years.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/01/2014 22:27

He needs to spend time looking for and getting another job & then he needs to report the company.

LongTailedTit · 02/01/2014 23:00

It sounds like an accident waiting to happen tbh.
I know of a young man that died while cleaning out some kind of storage tank of a farm last year, just overcome by fumes, and that was a one-off job, not a daily occurrence like your DP is dealing with.

Re the washing, seeing as he's offered to take it to the launderette, take him up on the offer - maybe if he's inconvenienced at home as well as at work he'll start getting the hint that it's not ok.

IamChristmas · 02/01/2014 23:05

Is he in a union? If not he should join one, they can take up the health and safety argument for him.

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