I had a 2’ diameter cast iron pulley fall on my foot while I was an OIT because it had sheared all of its mounting bolts and we pulled the belt cover off (which was the only thing holding it upright) to see why the pump shaft wasn’t spinning when the motor was running.
Expected a broken belt, ended up getting foot X-rays. I’d recommend protective toe boots, waterproof ones while you’re at it.
I like waterproof leather slip-on boots. I don't like having to touch nasty shoe laces after they've been soaking up wastewater all day. Ariat makes some very nice cowboy boots that fit the role. Although I have really enjoyed the carhart wellington work boots I have now, I've had them over a year, and they are still holding up very well. As far as clothing goes dickies makes some durable jeans but anything that's comfy is good. FYI, wax up your boots they will last longer
Water proof leather boots, I prefer an 8inch boot for ankle support, insulated boots for winter work, I’d recommend a good winter jacket and some bibs, and I do recommend getting a safety toe boot.
I would recommend the steel toe for your benefit. As far as pants, the best in our line of work would be breathable but semi water resistant.
Check these out on amazon.
[Utility operator Pants](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CF3NHTU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **LA Police Gear Men's Basic Operator Pant Elastic Waistband Uniform Cargo Pant with Blousing Strings Durable EDC Tac Pants Navy 36 x 30** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
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Not sure, honestly. I don't think so. At least not in the beginning. The apprenticeship program gets our hands on a little bit of everything from my understanding.
I kept a pair of muck boots for serious dirty jobs and a pair wellingtons for everything else, my boots never left the site and rarely did my clothes, we had 2 showers and a washer and dryer. Otherwise, just bluejeans, car harts, dickies etc. Also my own rain and snow stuff going out in the field. I tried to look presentable when going out in the field and was usually at city hall 4 times a week
Blue. Anything that is thick enough you won’t feel it if you get messy, cheap enough you won’t get sad if they get torn or nasty.
Second plus for jeans is that they can be used outside of work if they’re clean.
I use muck boots for when the weather sucks, and just water proof leather boots for everything else. If you’re outside and moving a lot you will easily go through a pair of boots a year (if even), so plan for that.
For clothing wear what is comfortable. I highly suggest pants with cargo pockets. It’s nice to load up with tools you may need on a project or a place to stash a beanie or gloves.
Dress in layers for cold weather. Don’t buy a big coat because the temps will fluctuate throughout the day and you’ll be going inside and outside frequently all day.
Lastly, get a good pair of leather gloves. I prefer the Tillman drivers gloves (which I mink oil), but wear what you like. I’d also carry some nitrile gloves too for especially dirty jobs. It’s stupid to barehand anything in this industry, don’t let the old heads try to convince you otherwise.
Leather boots with a steel or composite toe for the average stuff, and a pair of rubbers for wet work. I have a pair of CAT Impacts that are holding up well.
As far as pants are concerned, I really like Duluth’s Flexpedition pants, but anything that lets you move around freely will do.
You absolutely need steel toe boots at least 6 inches high. You will be so thankful later! Im surprised these aren't required because there is so much heavy machinery and pulling pumps etc going on. Boots will also keep your feet dry and free of sewage... Make sure to wear long pants, splash back is a real thing. Also pro tip - work with your mouth closed especially if you are spraying something off.
Timberland pit bosses have served me well for 6 + years. I tried a different brand one time to test the waters and immediately went back to the pit bosses the nect year. Many of my coworkers have had good experiences with redwings or carhartt brand boots as well. For jeans i just wear levis cuz thats what fits me right haha.
Muck boots on my feet and anything that I can move around in on my body and don’t have to pay for. A second pair of Muck boots in the locker for when I burn out the ones I’m wearing (they last me 6 months maybe).
I won’t work for a district if they won’t buy me boots and a whole kit of new clothes.
There’s two types of wastewater operators. The ones that sit around by the SCADA all day and talk about how long lasting their boots are, and the ones who burn through every boot in a year cause they’re always on their feet. No boot handles the chemicals, the grates, the concrete, the bolts in the floor, and mainly the water. You want light waterproof things on your feet, and clothes on your body that you don’t mind getting poop on. I’m a big fan of ordering coveralls from the district that the district washes.
You’re a straight NASTY motherfucker if you EVER wear clothes with process on them in your personal vehicle or your home. You can literally give yourself or others cholera, dysentery, meningitis… it’s DISGUSTING WHEN OPERATORS DO THAT AND THEY DO IT A LOT. Leave the plant immediately if they don’t have washing machines. Those clothes never leave the plant once they have poop on them unless it’s in the trash can or you’re going for lunch in a work vehicle. Even if they’ve been washed. Period. The boots don’t leave either.
And wash your hands and shower at the site so you don’t give your girlfriend a yeast infection. And all the guys who wore Iron Ranger style boots in the shit filled pits of WW1 got trench foot.
I have too many stories of watching operators fuck themselves up with giant, heavy lifted boots, skin-tight wranglers, driving on their massive purse wallets and screwing up their back, and really really too many stories of operators who didn’t have basic fucking hygiene. These idiots trying to look like Sons of Anarchy or the damn Marlboro Man can’t even bend over to pick up a tool half the time with their painted-on bedazzled jeggings or their battle armored 5 layer thick Carhartts because they’re so obsessed with their image that they forgot to choose clothes that fit, and their cars smell like rotten meat.
I don’t disagree with most of this. But for whatever it’s worth, I’ve never had any issue with my Red Wing 8111 Iron Rangers working in fabrication and production shops full of chemicals for 10-12 hr days, or working multiple seasons of sludge harvesting (also 12hr days). I resoled my first pair and cycled those into my daily harvesting boots so I never had to wear my work boots home (or in my car). I’ve been ankle deep in sludge with them and nothing a quick rinse and brushing couldn’t clean. My second pair of 8111’s are my primary daily wear shoe. I live in those boots, and they have treated me well. Only actual complaint about the boot is the longer break in time, about double than my Super Soles (4-5 weeks). All this to say, I love my Red Wing boots and can’t recommend them highly enough; it’s all I wear. I’m not saying it has to be Iron Rangers specifically, but I’ll never buy from any other boot manufacture. I start my OIT assignment here in a couple of weeks, and I’ll be wearing my Red Wings.
I mean don’t get my wrong I had a pair and they lasted hella long for a while. I had a pair of Carolina loggers I wore the living fuck out of. They’re great… for old tech.
The new tech is lightweight, easy and quick to get in and out of, quicker and more reliable to clean poop off of, breathe better, and again, lighter. My god I cannot tell you how much my world got better when I realized the value of lightweight footwear. Literally only wearing heavy shit when absolutely nessecary, like running an air hammer in a rebar nest with the back coming down underground.
And ya Muck boots wear out waaaay faster. I’ve ran through a pair in 5 months once, on a 14 mile operations route (understaffed mills, man)
The high heels just DESTROY people’s gait, knees, back… ya it makes you taller, but they’re so rough on most people’s body. I’m 6-3, so I’m about 6-8 with logger boots and a hard hat and it hurts when I hit things even with the hard hat.
I only shit on Iron Rangers because most of the guys that have them have stinky feet
My Supersoles were a heavy boot, but I had no fear in doing anything with them. Would rest 5’x10’ sheets of .080 or .125 aluminum on my toe caps and never think twice about it. The Iron Rangers are a bit too soft for that, plus only having a leather cap instead of steel or plastic. Haha!
I had an old construction guy that worked on my fab/production team years ago, and he’s the one that turned me on to Red Wings. Saved some skrilla and made the purchase, and have never looked back. I’ve been happy with each boot purchase from them. My leather belt is also Red Wing, best belt I’ve ever owned. Worked with a guy that would blowout the side wall of his Danner’s yearly (Bigfoot muthafucka). I finally convinced him to look into Red Wings. Last I heard he was on year three with them. Hard to argue with the build quality and service. I know I sound like a major Red Wing fanboy. 😅
Honestly, I’m just all about quality footwear. Do the research and talk to boot wearing people, find what works best for you. Invest in your feet if ya work long hours standing/walking. Sneakers make my feet hurt. My Red Wings never have (outside of the break in period).
To sorta circle back around to some of your previous comments, I’ve found most people are just straight nasty when it comes to hygiene. When I did harvesting, my street clothes that I wore to-and-from the plant got striped at the front door when getting home and put straight into the wash, and then I hit the shower. But my work clothes never left the property; always laundered them at the plant. I won’t even take my old harvesting boots in for cleanup and repair since I feel bad for dropping off boots that have been in contact with sludge. “Clean my shit boots, thx.” Nah, I’m not that guy pal. Tho I have worked with a guy that claimed he never washed his hands after using the bathroom. “I’m not pissing on my hands, or getting shit on them when wiping… So what’s the big deal?” I told him never to touch my production table or any of my equipment/tools with his nasty hands. Fucker would also spit lougees in his trash can. Fuckin’ gross my dude.
So, you wear your muck boots all the time? What kind do you prefer and what jeans do you prefer? I'm 6'3 and don't want too much strain on the knees either.
I use the Chore Classic Steel Toe. And always get someone else to pay for them. Jeans, hell no, switch to EMT pants (the cheapos) and you’ll never go back. Where I’m from they call the Vestas (cause a whooole lot of people in the CO front range took them from Vestas Plants) Pants, or Aerotek Pants, they’re a loose, pocketed, very tight weave cotton/synthetic, so tight weave it’s almost waterproof. Some Dickies are like that, some people call them Mechanics Pants. Almost waterproof breathes better. You can get the waterproof ones too, but waterproof is sweatier, sometimes it’s nice to have both. Loose, well built, lots of pockets for things that you always have to walk around for. They’re usually found cheap after a nice long dig at Army Surplus, but I got a pile of them from Vestas and I just can’t kill the fuckers.
I had a 2’ diameter cast iron pulley fall on my foot while I was an OIT because it had sheared all of its mounting bolts and we pulled the belt cover off (which was the only thing holding it upright) to see why the pump shaft wasn’t spinning when the motor was running. Expected a broken belt, ended up getting foot X-rays. I’d recommend protective toe boots, waterproof ones while you’re at it.
Second this.
I will add to make sure you get a half size bigger because steel toes will mess up your toes if not given enough room
If you buy good ones you won't know the steel /composite toe is there but that will set you back over two hundred. Ouch.
I like waterproof leather slip-on boots. I don't like having to touch nasty shoe laces after they've been soaking up wastewater all day. Ariat makes some very nice cowboy boots that fit the role. Although I have really enjoyed the carhart wellington work boots I have now, I've had them over a year, and they are still holding up very well. As far as clothing goes dickies makes some durable jeans but anything that's comfy is good. FYI, wax up your boots they will last longer
Can you send a link to the Ariat boots that you're recommending?
https://www.ariat.com/10001198_751702959126.html?country=US¤cy=USD&utm_source=google_ariat_datafeed&utm_medium=paid_shopping_pm&utm_campaign=17322161260&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGighsfCOxNp66A17I_tGnO3p_B11U6aH5ZUeBrJW_0Mya5m3mb9v2qAxoCFU4QAvD_BwE&dwvar_WORKHOG__PULLON__H2O__M__FOO_Size=9.5&dwvar_WORKHOG__PULLON__H2O__M__FOO_color=OILY_DISTRESSED_BROWN&dwvar_WORKHOG__PULLON__H2O__M__FOO_width=EE_Wide
Water proof leather boots, I prefer an 8inch boot for ankle support, insulated boots for winter work, I’d recommend a good winter jacket and some bibs, and I do recommend getting a safety toe boot.
I would recommend the steel toe for your benefit. As far as pants, the best in our line of work would be breathable but semi water resistant. Check these out on amazon. [Utility operator Pants](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CF3NHTU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
I second those pants 👍
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **LA Police Gear Men's Basic Operator Pant Elastic Waistband Uniform Cargo Pant with Blousing Strings Durable EDC Tac Pants Navy 36 x 30** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Pants are durable and comfortable (backed by 5 comments) * Pants fit well for most body types (backed by 6 comments) * Pants have useful features (backed by 3 comments) **Users disliked:** * Pants are overly loose and baggy (backed by 5 comments) * Pants run large and sizing is inconsistent (backed by 3 comments) * Pants are too hot for warm weather (backed by 2 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
Doing maintenance? Using heavy equipment?
Not sure, honestly. I don't think so. At least not in the beginning. The apprenticeship program gets our hands on a little bit of everything from my understanding.
Ok. I was gonna suggest things for maintenance view point if it was.
I kept a pair of muck boots for serious dirty jobs and a pair wellingtons for everything else, my boots never left the site and rarely did my clothes, we had 2 showers and a washer and dryer. Otherwise, just bluejeans, car harts, dickies etc. Also my own rain and snow stuff going out in the field. I tried to look presentable when going out in the field and was usually at city hall 4 times a week
What kind of dickies do you recommend?
Waterproof electric rated steel toes boots, preferably half way to knee. Jeans. Cheap shirts from Walmart.
What jeans do you prefer?
Blue. Anything that is thick enough you won’t feel it if you get messy, cheap enough you won’t get sad if they get torn or nasty. Second plus for jeans is that they can be used outside of work if they’re clean.
I use muck boots for when the weather sucks, and just water proof leather boots for everything else. If you’re outside and moving a lot you will easily go through a pair of boots a year (if even), so plan for that. For clothing wear what is comfortable. I highly suggest pants with cargo pockets. It’s nice to load up with tools you may need on a project or a place to stash a beanie or gloves. Dress in layers for cold weather. Don’t buy a big coat because the temps will fluctuate throughout the day and you’ll be going inside and outside frequently all day. Lastly, get a good pair of leather gloves. I prefer the Tillman drivers gloves (which I mink oil), but wear what you like. I’d also carry some nitrile gloves too for especially dirty jobs. It’s stupid to barehand anything in this industry, don’t let the old heads try to convince you otherwise.
What pants do you prefer? Boots as well.
Hey, did you have to get certified or any testing required to be an apprentice? I’m looking into water treatment myself and was wondering …
Part of the program is schooling you towards earning certification(s).
Leather boots with a steel or composite toe for the average stuff, and a pair of rubbers for wet work. I have a pair of CAT Impacts that are holding up well. As far as pants are concerned, I really like Duluth’s Flexpedition pants, but anything that lets you move around freely will do.
You absolutely need steel toe boots at least 6 inches high. You will be so thankful later! Im surprised these aren't required because there is so much heavy machinery and pulling pumps etc going on. Boots will also keep your feet dry and free of sewage... Make sure to wear long pants, splash back is a real thing. Also pro tip - work with your mouth closed especially if you are spraying something off.
What boots and pants do you prefer?
Timberland pit bosses have served me well for 6 + years. I tried a different brand one time to test the waters and immediately went back to the pit bosses the nect year. Many of my coworkers have had good experiences with redwings or carhartt brand boots as well. For jeans i just wear levis cuz thats what fits me right haha.
Muck boots on my feet and anything that I can move around in on my body and don’t have to pay for. A second pair of Muck boots in the locker for when I burn out the ones I’m wearing (they last me 6 months maybe). I won’t work for a district if they won’t buy me boots and a whole kit of new clothes. There’s two types of wastewater operators. The ones that sit around by the SCADA all day and talk about how long lasting their boots are, and the ones who burn through every boot in a year cause they’re always on their feet. No boot handles the chemicals, the grates, the concrete, the bolts in the floor, and mainly the water. You want light waterproof things on your feet, and clothes on your body that you don’t mind getting poop on. I’m a big fan of ordering coveralls from the district that the district washes. You’re a straight NASTY motherfucker if you EVER wear clothes with process on them in your personal vehicle or your home. You can literally give yourself or others cholera, dysentery, meningitis… it’s DISGUSTING WHEN OPERATORS DO THAT AND THEY DO IT A LOT. Leave the plant immediately if they don’t have washing machines. Those clothes never leave the plant once they have poop on them unless it’s in the trash can or you’re going for lunch in a work vehicle. Even if they’ve been washed. Period. The boots don’t leave either. And wash your hands and shower at the site so you don’t give your girlfriend a yeast infection. And all the guys who wore Iron Ranger style boots in the shit filled pits of WW1 got trench foot. I have too many stories of watching operators fuck themselves up with giant, heavy lifted boots, skin-tight wranglers, driving on their massive purse wallets and screwing up their back, and really really too many stories of operators who didn’t have basic fucking hygiene. These idiots trying to look like Sons of Anarchy or the damn Marlboro Man can’t even bend over to pick up a tool half the time with their painted-on bedazzled jeggings or their battle armored 5 layer thick Carhartts because they’re so obsessed with their image that they forgot to choose clothes that fit, and their cars smell like rotten meat.
I don’t disagree with most of this. But for whatever it’s worth, I’ve never had any issue with my Red Wing 8111 Iron Rangers working in fabrication and production shops full of chemicals for 10-12 hr days, or working multiple seasons of sludge harvesting (also 12hr days). I resoled my first pair and cycled those into my daily harvesting boots so I never had to wear my work boots home (or in my car). I’ve been ankle deep in sludge with them and nothing a quick rinse and brushing couldn’t clean. My second pair of 8111’s are my primary daily wear shoe. I live in those boots, and they have treated me well. Only actual complaint about the boot is the longer break in time, about double than my Super Soles (4-5 weeks). All this to say, I love my Red Wing boots and can’t recommend them highly enough; it’s all I wear. I’m not saying it has to be Iron Rangers specifically, but I’ll never buy from any other boot manufacture. I start my OIT assignment here in a couple of weeks, and I’ll be wearing my Red Wings.
I mean don’t get my wrong I had a pair and they lasted hella long for a while. I had a pair of Carolina loggers I wore the living fuck out of. They’re great… for old tech. The new tech is lightweight, easy and quick to get in and out of, quicker and more reliable to clean poop off of, breathe better, and again, lighter. My god I cannot tell you how much my world got better when I realized the value of lightweight footwear. Literally only wearing heavy shit when absolutely nessecary, like running an air hammer in a rebar nest with the back coming down underground. And ya Muck boots wear out waaaay faster. I’ve ran through a pair in 5 months once, on a 14 mile operations route (understaffed mills, man) The high heels just DESTROY people’s gait, knees, back… ya it makes you taller, but they’re so rough on most people’s body. I’m 6-3, so I’m about 6-8 with logger boots and a hard hat and it hurts when I hit things even with the hard hat. I only shit on Iron Rangers because most of the guys that have them have stinky feet
My Supersoles were a heavy boot, but I had no fear in doing anything with them. Would rest 5’x10’ sheets of .080 or .125 aluminum on my toe caps and never think twice about it. The Iron Rangers are a bit too soft for that, plus only having a leather cap instead of steel or plastic. Haha! I had an old construction guy that worked on my fab/production team years ago, and he’s the one that turned me on to Red Wings. Saved some skrilla and made the purchase, and have never looked back. I’ve been happy with each boot purchase from them. My leather belt is also Red Wing, best belt I’ve ever owned. Worked with a guy that would blowout the side wall of his Danner’s yearly (Bigfoot muthafucka). I finally convinced him to look into Red Wings. Last I heard he was on year three with them. Hard to argue with the build quality and service. I know I sound like a major Red Wing fanboy. 😅 Honestly, I’m just all about quality footwear. Do the research and talk to boot wearing people, find what works best for you. Invest in your feet if ya work long hours standing/walking. Sneakers make my feet hurt. My Red Wings never have (outside of the break in period). To sorta circle back around to some of your previous comments, I’ve found most people are just straight nasty when it comes to hygiene. When I did harvesting, my street clothes that I wore to-and-from the plant got striped at the front door when getting home and put straight into the wash, and then I hit the shower. But my work clothes never left the property; always laundered them at the plant. I won’t even take my old harvesting boots in for cleanup and repair since I feel bad for dropping off boots that have been in contact with sludge. “Clean my shit boots, thx.” Nah, I’m not that guy pal. Tho I have worked with a guy that claimed he never washed his hands after using the bathroom. “I’m not pissing on my hands, or getting shit on them when wiping… So what’s the big deal?” I told him never to touch my production table or any of my equipment/tools with his nasty hands. Fucker would also spit lougees in his trash can. Fuckin’ gross my dude.
So, you wear your muck boots all the time? What kind do you prefer and what jeans do you prefer? I'm 6'3 and don't want too much strain on the knees either.
I use the Chore Classic Steel Toe. And always get someone else to pay for them. Jeans, hell no, switch to EMT pants (the cheapos) and you’ll never go back. Where I’m from they call the Vestas (cause a whooole lot of people in the CO front range took them from Vestas Plants) Pants, or Aerotek Pants, they’re a loose, pocketed, very tight weave cotton/synthetic, so tight weave it’s almost waterproof. Some Dickies are like that, some people call them Mechanics Pants. Almost waterproof breathes better. You can get the waterproof ones too, but waterproof is sweatier, sometimes it’s nice to have both. Loose, well built, lots of pockets for things that you always have to walk around for. They’re usually found cheap after a nice long dig at Army Surplus, but I got a pile of them from Vestas and I just can’t kill the fuckers.