My husband an I have been watching the marathon and are a little concern about one thing...On several episodes (storm drains, sludge pits, etc) Mike goes down in what would be considered as "confined space" Why is there never any concern or mention of the danger of going into a space like this? Gases, both with and without smell can be encountered when going down in a confined space..I think it sends the wrong message when there is no evidence of meters or caution taken before descending., We love the show but just wondered about this apparent oversite. (my husband has a really dirty job. he is a waste water superintendent)

Mike showed the work done by the 'confined space' air quality metering dude at the San Francisco waste water treatment plant when they had to fix a lift pump.

That job still ranks as the all-time winner of worst. job. evah. by Mike and crew.

Welcome to the Mudroom, War1.

I have read that safety is never first, maybe third. This is a good question. I believe Mike has answered several similar ones before. I couldn't begin to know exactly where however. There are safety briefings at practically every site he goes to. I'm sure if there is enough demand, Discovery can start a new show about onsite safety . I wonder what they would name it?

Sharon,
Dust Maker

Hi War1,
Safety is always a big concern and as others have said it seems it's never first but it is in the top 5...

Welcome to the Mud Room.Look around and have fun.
Be careful though because sometimes we also have "gas" issues.

grasshopper

Thanks for the responses. We were just wondering if we just did see that part on the show or if it was truly not addressed.....

You are right. Generally the safety issues aren't addressed on the show. I'm happy it's rated TV14 because I certainly wouldn't want some kid emulating walking a bridge strut or inseminating a turkey for that matter. The show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe is kind of educational but is still in the entertainment venue.

Dust maker

Remember , He says "I 'm an idiot. I'm a moron".
Now I really don't believe he is, but safety being third always makes me uneasy. I am happier when he and the job call for a mask and they both have it on. None of these jobs should be tried by anybody not trained and paid to do them,as far as I am concerned.Stay safe with your crew.

Cherry

Welcome War1
Past posts by Mike on safety



This is a worthwhile conversation, in my opinion, and long overdue. At the heart of the matter, are the agendas and expectations of those involved - business owners, tv producers, safety regulators, and viewers. Upon closer inspection, you will find that all parties are full of poo. Here, in my opinion, are two dangerous myths, and their attendant realities.

Myth 1
Safety First. To date, I have done nearly 100 "Dirty Jobs," and I can say without hesitation that safety is never first. Never. No one who owns a big company regulated by OSHA will ever admit this, but accidents on the job are an accepted part of doing business. If preventing them from happening was the number 1 priority, then safety would trump profit, and we all know that a perfect safety record is not enough to stay in business. Risk is a reality of life, and some jobs require the worker to assume more risk than others. The world is full of people who ride motorcycles without helmets, drive cars without seatbelts, smoke, drink, and eat donuts for breakfast. Why should we expect a different mindset on the job? Risky behavior is relative, and all the regulations in the world will never change that. Safety is a concern, always, but never a priority. The priority is money.

Myth #2
TV can be trusted with reality. This myth is so pervasive, I doubt it will ever go away. It is remarkable that millions of people can form passionate opinions about a given topic based on a short, edited presentation on a medium driven entirely by advertising dollars. Producers will never admit this, but there is simply no rational reason to believe or disbelieve anything you see on commercial television, ever.

What if I were to tell you the "poison" in Bill's dispenser was actually sugar water? (it wasn't.) Or that the church was actually supported by a series of steel beams that were simply framed out of the shot? (it wasn't.) Perhaps you'd be interested to know that Bill really isn't a exterminator at all, but a trained actor who I studied with in New York years ago? (he isn't.)
Or is he?

It's important to understand that on the day in question, we left the Vexcon shoot with over 1000 minutes of footage. The final segment was 15 minutes. We could have cut that piece a dozen different ways to reflect any number of different realities. Instead, we showed you one - the one we wanted you to see.

I've worked in television for nearly 20 years, and I've seen "reality" twisted in ways that would make Gumby jealous. Dirty Jobs is the most honest show I've ever worked on, and I like the Discovery Channel because more often than not, they get it right. But like all commercial television, the primary goal of Dirty Jobs is not the portrayal of reality - it's the making of money. I'm not saying the two are mutually exclusive. I'm just saying that Truth on TV is like Safety on a construction site - it's nice, but not critical to the task at hand.

Mike
Posted 03-26-06 04:14 PM


I sincerely appreciate your concern for me, and agree that stupidity plays an ongoing role in my professional and personal life. But believe me, I have no wish to be injured on the job.

However, it is not the objective of Dirty Jobs to conform to any particular set of safety standards, other than those dictated by the people for whom I happen to be working at the time. I take my cues from them, and I assume whatever risk they assume, for the most part. In the end, we hope to capture an honest look at what life is like for the workers in a particular venue. We do not aspire to set an example, or be a poster child for OSHA or any particular industry. I realize that my sound controversial, but it’s the truth, and not nearly as inflammatory as what I’m going to say next.

Ready?

Of all the platitudes automatically embraced in the workplace - and there are many - there is none more pervasive, erroneous, overused, and dangerous, than "Safety First!" In my opinion.

I have heard this slogan countless times. I have seen it emblazoned on banners, T-shirts, and hats. I have sat through mandatory briefings and slideshows and presentations designed to "protect me from the hazards at hand." And I have listened as safety officers and foreman have run down list after list of OSHA requirements, all apparently construed to remind me that nothing is more important to the employer than my own well-being. What a load of unmitigated nonsense.

In the 120+ jobs I have seen thus far, I can tell you with certainty, that safety, while always a major consideration, is never the priority.

Never.
Never, ever.
Not even once.

Is it important? Of course. But is it more important than getting the job done? No. Not even close. Making money is more important than safety - always - and it's very dangerous in my opinion to ignore that. When we start to believe that someone else is more concerned about our own safety than we are, we become complacent, and then, we get careless. When a business tells you that they are more concerned with your safety than anything else, beware. They are not being honest. They are hedging their own bets, and following the advice of lawyers hired to protect them from lawsuits arising from accidents.

You are correct to suggest that wearing safety glasses would have made the task at hand safer. But why stop there? Wearing a helmet would have made it safer still. And wearing a steel mesh shark-suit would have made it really, super safe.

I know that sound glib, and I know that many will wish to scold me for appearing cavalier. But really, I'm not. In a car, I wear a safety belt. On a motorcycle, I wear a helmet. Not because it’s the law, but because it seems a reasonable precaution. And ultimately, the only one responsible for my own safety is me. (Besides, if the government were really concerned with my safety above all else, wouldn’t they drop the legal speed limit to 30 miles an hour and make cars out of rubber?)

Again, you’re right - I probably should have been wearing safety glasses, not because safety is first, but because I like to hedge my bets.

We can always be safer. We can always assume less risk. But if safety were really first, I wouldn’t travel at all, or engage in any activity that required me to assume any risk. And I certainly wouldn’t be hosting Dirty Jobs.

Mike
Posted 11-05-06 03:05 PM


<<<<<in this post I am not the christine he is answering and 2 yes that is a spelling mistake (my computer is so mad that I will not fix it)>>>>>>>

Hi Christine

Thank you for your concern, sincerely. Many have commented on my committment to safety, or seeming lack thereof.

For the record, I have no wish to die or become injured on this program. But I will now attepmt something more dangerous than anything you've seen on the show. Something so risky, you may find it unbelievable. I will tell you the horrible, politically incorrect truth. Ready? Here it is.


On Dirty Jobs, as in life, safety, is not always first.


Personally, safety is a big concern of mine. But if safety was always first, I would be hosting a game show. (again) The safety philosophy of Dirty Jobs is pretty straightforward. I take the same precautions as my host. No more, no less.


Thanks again for your concern.

Mike
Posted 01-24-06 11:36 PM


christina

Sorry would have got you more but the computer and I are having issues today.

War1, if you spend any time here, you will quickly learn that Christina (Bralco) is a literal GENIOUS when it comes to going back and researching out answers that Mike has given to previously asked questions. I don't know how she does it, but I'd say she dug up for you some pretty comprehensive responses! Welcome to the MB. If you have any other questions, Christina just might be able to find the answers!

Hey guys thanx for poining that out or I would have never noticed.