Dirt, Grease and Grime

For those considering the trades

It may sound like I'm stating the obvious, but this industry is dirty. You will be working with your hands. Crawling under machines, up ladders, through tight spaces you couldn't imagine being able to fit in at first glance. There will be grease, oil, chemicals, tar and dust. Somehow you will be both sticky and slippery.  

Sure, you will be able to wear gloves and masks as times. Maybe even a full Tyvek suit. In fact, I strongly encourage the proper use of PPE. The thing is, all those nasty things find a way into your clothes, your hair, your skin, phone and anything else you have on you. 

We all go through it. And we've all seen that apprentice or that friend of a manager who had no clue what they were getting themselves into. They will say it's gross and nasty.  Like many blinded by greed, they want the pay but can't handle the work and what comes with it.

You learn to live with it. Wash up at the end of the shift. Bring spare clothes for days it gets really bad. If there is a locker room where you can store and change, leave fresh clothes there so you don't have to get your vehicle filled with the stuff you don't want on you.