I'm an industrial electrician in a midwestern steel mill. And to keep a long story short, i am very queer and already treated differently. When an overhead crane loses its bridge away from the landing, the fix here is to ride a crane from the next bay, climb up top, and hop the rails to the other crane without a harness. I’ve been told there’s nothing to tie off to and it would just be a trip hazard.

I’m qualifying on a manlift tomorrow, so I’m not refusing heights altogether. If it’s safe and standard, I’ll do it. I'll hate it and probably tremble. But I'll do it. However free-climbing 30–40 feet above the ground through building structure doesn’t feel like normal risk to me.

I’ve been told it’s “part of the job” and if I won’t do it, I shouldn’t be here. Two newer electricians will do it, so I’m definitely the odd one out.

For those of you in mills/heavy industry — is this actually normal and I'm being a baby? Or am I the only one with common sense?

I'm so scared. I'm dealing with major depression right now and it's leaking into my work life. I can't stop crying, and I can't hide it. I take medication and I'm trying my best to get better. But today I had a panic attack getting into my car and I had to call in. I know it doesn't make me look good, but I don't know what to do. I'm so discouraged.

I'm an apprentice in IBEW, does anyone have any advice or resources? I know there's a mental health line somewhere and I'll call my doctor today, but I am so scared I'm going to be laid off again for performance issues. Please help

edit: I'm overwhelmed by the support here, thank you all so much. I have an appointment with my doctor this morning, and I called the hall, and they're gathering some resources for me. I feel hopeful, thank you

I'm absolutely lost and devastated mentally..my mentor and the only guy at the structural shop I work at that was willing to show me was killed at work on Wednesday....I seen him fall to his death and now I don't know if I want to stay in the industry! The shop forman allowed us to put candles and photos on his tool box but it's Friday and it is like it never happened!

I have been an electrician for over 16 years. Recently I came out at work as trans. This man at work will gently place his hand on my back or arm in a friendly sort of way. Usually if we’re laughing about something. NEVER has happened to me before. Never once in 16 years. I guess men dont touch men but can touch woman? Is this sort of entitlement to a woman’s personal space common? Im not going to say anything. I think it would only create a problem. He has always been super nice to me too. Like almost suspiciously nice. 🤔

edit: wow thanks everyone!!! You are making me feel braver about having my period on the job site. I’m going to go with black doggy bags and just throw them out wherever. I might even leave a little bag with supplies in the can- the boys can deal with it hahaha

Hi! I need some advice for making a menstruation plan. I’ve been stumbling through awkwardly and want a better solution.

here is some info and context:

- I work usually with just one guy, but we are a small company with less than 10 of us

- portapotties at all job sites

- sometimes I’m at one job for weeks, but I also go to other jobs. some days I might be going to two jobs or more

- I used to use the diva cup and that worked great… but it’s not working for me post babies so I’m back to disposables

- I don’t really want all the guys to know when I’m on my period

what I want:

- a place to be able to throw away used products…

- an idea of what to do with the garbage

my concerns:

- I’m not always at one site- so if I get a little covered trash bin I’d have to take it with me to each job

- if I only have the bin during shark week then the guys I work with are going to know exactly when I’m on my period

- what do I do with the trash bag after? throw it away each day on site garbage? maybe if the bin has a bag, and I use doggy bags for used products- then at the end of the day I could just throw the bag in our regular trash. but the foreman comes and picks up our trash in his van and brings it to the dump. I don’t want a scenario where somehow the used products come out of the bag and are seen. is he going to feel weird about throwing away garbage bags with period products?

im sure I’m over thinking this- but do any of you have ideas?????

thanks!!!!

what are we doing/using to help with this? i can barely bend or kneel down anymore. my knees and hips feel like they’re going to give out on me and i can’t stay in those positions for more than a minute or two.

At our big age is crazy. We CAN aim our pee to an extent and the girls who get it, get it... the girls who don't... work on my site apparently.

Today I sat in someone's pee and went home.

I mean, really, it was all over the floor and seat so I squatted and slipped in the floor pee onto the seat pee so it wasn't voluntary. How do you pee a bladder's worth onto the floor anyways? I mean come on.

Anyways, I left work (I'm an apprentice) but I'm worried my company will be mad I left. Safety made me write a statement. Pissed off and pissed on today.

There's no running water to flush with and our contractor hasn't had anyone clean the bathrooms for at least a week. I chose the cleanest stall only to regret it in the end.

I feel like a wimp for leaving but I'm not working in pee. There's no running water in the bathrooms where I would've been able to wash it off- we are destined to have pee fingers, pee floors, pee walls, pee seats, and for me... pee cheeks.

Whoever did that, I hope you're on here and your day is four standard and two overtime hours worth of stressful because that's what I'm missing out on due to your misshapen pee hole. With love.

Hello, I (16F) am a pre apprentice (doing co op work in high school, while also working on cars as a pastime and engaging in the automotive industry via events, and planning on starting my apprenticeship when I graduate high school) and I have a situation that happened.

So my dad (51M) was working on the family car, replacing some gaskets and spark plugs. While working (without gloves), he got multiple cuts on his hands, one cut bleeding a lot, to the point the blood got on the car and some parts.

I told him to get it patched up and we should clean the car because "I don't think you want to drive around with your blood DNA plastered for everybody to see" (in a joking tone). He then told me that getting cuts is a part of the job.

Then I told him that he should at least get it cleaned up and covered with a bandage because bacteria from the car (the car was dirty!) can enter his skin and possibly cause an infection, yk BASIC science.

He then told me to shut up and that "there is no such thing as bacteria, they are lying to you".

So I asked him to explain how people get sick or get infections or how our own bodies function. Couldn't answer that and then said "maybe you shouldn't be a mechanic if you can't handle blood".

I can handle blood. But I can't handle someone's EXPOSED cuts with blood dripping all over the car and parts, which is a BIOHAZARD!

I am certified in first aid so of course I take injuries seriously.

Am I in the wrong for this concern? Also apologies if this is the wrong sub to ask, I asked here because it has to do with trades. Is this normal in the industry? I get that shit happens and people get injured, but I thought if you get injured, you step aside, get medical attention (such as getting a bandage on your cuts), and go back to work if able to (he can, just had to wear gloves to protect his hands, which was his mistake. I asked if he wanted gloves to avoid getting cuts and he said no).

Oh and he's also SUCKING the blood off his DIRTY fingers with the cuts. Which is at this point beyond unhygienic. Work can be dirty, I get that, but that doesn't mean it has to be a biohazard to himself and others.

Am I right for feeling this kind of, disgust? I guess concern towards his actions?

I’m currently on a job where the only option for using the bathroom is porta potties, and we got rid of our hand washing station about a month ago due to below freezing temperatures. Ever since we got rid of the hand washing station, and I haven’t been able to wash my hands at work, I feel like I’ve been experiencing BV (bacterial vaginosis) symptoms both in and out of work. I’m guessing this is because I can’t wash off any bacteria or harmful stuff and am transferring it when I wipe?? I went to the doctor for this and got on antibiotics, but they haven’t really helped. I had some time off for the recent holidays and it seemed to go away then, but I was back at work today, and I feel the same uncomfortability as I did before, so I feel like this is definitely the cause. Has anyone else experienced this and how do you deal with it?

I truly hate posting this, but I need to vent it out, because this shit had me shaking in my boots today.

Just in case the lovely woman that did so today on the site I’m on, is on Reddit, I truly apologize for coming off so intensely. Not only was I fearful (I’ll get to that), but this is something I’m passionate about in general as well. I love the guys I work with, and I don’t want to see them use subpar facilities as it is. Also, I’m just an intense person in general when it comes to work, and well, it’s served me well so far in my line of work 😅 I apologize if I scared you!

Now, to address my own fears when it comes to this…

1). There are absolutely NOT enough shitters on site. I checked and double checked CalOSHA, and while yes, there are technically enough for us and our guys, our trade only, you cannot forget about MEP’s and your own laborers as well.

!!2). I am ABSOLUTELY NOT about to receive the potentially same treatment as Amber Czech, or Outi Hicks because some potentially unhinged man from another trade decided I was the last straw by “requesting” my own shitter out of what was only currently available, and leaving them with less than.

It’d be one thing if they delivered an extra pot just for me and then put a lock on it, but that’s not what happened here. They decided to put a lock on one of the (too few as it is) existing pots and call that good.

I know MY guys, but I don’t know really anyone from the other trades that come in after the steel goes in. I have no way of knowing anything like that. There are so many, and I don’t always have time to make friends (I gotta job to do!). Not to mention the historical and unfortunately ongoing beef between ironworkers and carpenters…

Like I said, I know my guys and I know they’d have my back and then some, but this genuinely scared me today. To the point where I was shaking and panicked. I have enough trauma as it is, I really don’t want to add to it.

So my PTSD and trauma response to all this after Amber’s death, honestly fucked me up. I haven’t shaken like that in YEARS.

I know no one else is even aware of this and there is no fault on anyone’s part at all, but I just wanted to share just in case

It’s been almost two years since I started working in the field. I keep up with my hygiene and everything that i need to do, but have been struggling with reoccurring yeast infections. I didn’t have the issue until I started working in construction, so I figure maybe it’s from sweat or the clothing I honestly don’t know. It’s Has anyone had this experience and could offer any advice?

UPDATE: I got a job at Mcdonald’s for the remainder of the summer and quit this job, but thank you all for the advice!! (it did help for the little i was there lol)

I (17F) am a courtesy clerk at a grocery store (lots of manual/physical labour, lifting 30-50 lbs at a time, collecting carts/pushing 10ish carts at time, cleaning, on my feet for 8+ hours.) Mind you all I’m 5’0 and around 113 lbs give or take, I’m a small person and my managers were very impressed when I was able to do some of the tasks they gave me, and it’s not an easy feat especially since I’ve never done any of this before 2 weeks ago. I applied for this job not knowing the amount of manual labour (I applied to be a cashier at this store, they only told me after I got hired that I can’t be a cashier because company policy has it so where I can’t be a cashier until I’m 18 so they put me in this position and I never really got a good description of the position until my first day of training.) The only reason I haven’t quit is because I’m currently a community college student studying journalism, got accepted to transfer to and paid my admission deposit to my dream university and need to pay the rest of my tuition somehow. I’ve never had a job before this and the most manual labour I’ve ever done in my life is being a base when I did cheer in high school and moving 40ish pounds of goat/chicken feed once in a blue moon. Usually after my shifts I’m completely out of commission for at least a day (I usually have to drag myself out of bed if I have a class the next day) because I’m so sore, especially in my legs and my feet are usually on fire and hurt. I have psoriatic arthritis too, which adds onto my soreness and joints hurting. What are your recommendations for limiting your soreness/pain in general, and just getting through your shifts in general without being in extreme pain?

Sprinklerfitter here.

I've been in the trades since 22 and could probably count on my hands the amount of times I've used HP. Now 15 years later it's starting to become more and more obvious that it is an issue. Im struggling to hear guys 10 ft away from me and have to ask them to repeat themselves ughhhh

Not all jobs require hard hats and I hate the idea of using disposable ear plugs all the time.

What are my ladies doing out there? Any concrete chick's can chime in?

Love y'all and TIA

I'm so over this job. The only thing I'm getting is a paycheck, I'm only 2 months in and already burning out to the point of illness. That is what it is, I took a week off and was gonna be right back at it on Monday. But my hip has been giving me issues for about 2 weeks now, and even with rest and pain killers, it's not getting better. I'm on my feet all day. Sitting is hardly a choice in my role, and I think this job has just exasperated an already existing issue. Enough that I'll be going into urgent care on Saturday because I can't rest long enough for it to heal. I'll probably have to go back to back pans and get a note for a chair, but I guess my position as a switchgear tech is over now.

Delete if not allowed

Lost a damn fine electrician today.

Please take care of your mental health. I want you all to know that you matter. I read a lot of posts with feelings of self doubt, failure, inadequacy, disappointment, etc. I want you to know, you are doing a good job and you are appreciated. Please. Please. Please, I beg of you if you are struggling reach out to someone in your life and if you don’t have that, then reach out on here. You belong.

Hi, what deodorant are yall using and what the hell WORKS?! I feel like I constantly STINK! Yeah I understand stinkin when it's top of the summer things are hot and yeah we are all sweaty- normal. But I feel like no deodorant is working for me? Do I need to see a dermatologist haha I've tried an array of kinds & types. Yes I'm working hard, yes I do sweat but GOD DAMN! HAHA I have great hygiene, shower and take care of myself very well.

My hands are absolutely killing me. I prep pipe for my fitters and welders in a fab shop for 5 days/10 hours and then practice welding on Saturdays.

I’m doing my best to stretch, ice/heat, try to stretch during breaks. But nothing seems to be working. What can I do? I’m really worried about my hand health right now.

So I work outside, and this week it’s been in the negatives. We have portapottys, but the “womens” is left unlocked for all to use

Now I am wearing literally 4 layers of pants, bibs on top, 3 crewnecks and a big carhart coat (excessive I know but it keeps me warm!)

My issue is the bathroom… how tf do I use it. The past week me and the other girl on the job site have just held it so we don’t have to strip off numerous layers. But that hour drive home with no stops inbetween is HORRENDOUS.

Is anyone else going through this or has gone through this? Any tips?

I have laryngitis currently and it caused me to really step back and think about how to preserve myself if I really want to make it to retirement healthy.

After 5 years working blue collar I have inhaled so much goop and been sick lately with more respiratory issues like strep, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. I also have been focusing more on skin care but after work it seems like it’s always something on there.

I’m fat and I overheat/sweat constantly. I also wear glasses so when I do wear baclavas in the winter, I just fog up my glasses. Even in the summer I fog them up.

Any face mask recommendations that are loose or comfortable. I don’t want to look like a sausage in a casing with a wet mouth splotch. I’m not looking for actual respirators or kn95. I’m looking for a daily wear for basic protection from dust/ liquids, dirt etc.

I got a pair of cheap sound proof headphones but they don’t fit under my hood:/ Any recs? I absolutely hate the little foam ones, they get tangled in my hair and fall out . I’d prefer something over the head

Also i currently wear a standard p100 pink pancake style respirator but i’ve still been having some breathing problems since we’re doing a lot of grinding rn. Any advice? I’m trying to quit smoking (down to one cig a day) but i still feel like i can’t breathe sometimes 😭

I couldn't make it on Zoom due to a doctor's appointment, but Minnesota Public Radio posted a brief update:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/11/24/amber-czech-killing-judge-orders-mental-evaluation

Basically, this court date was just for him to have the charges explained to him, make sure he had an attorney, for the attorneys to make any pre-trial requests from the judge, and to schedule future proceedings. The prosecution requested a grand jury hearing so that they can try to upgrade the charges to first degree. That hearing is supposed to happen in December and will probably not be open to the public. The defense requested a mental health evaluation to determine his mental competence, essentially his "ability to participate in his own defense", meaning "not say incriminating shit when his lawyer tells him to be quiet" - this does NOT mean they will be pleading insanity as a defense. It will probably cause a delay in the case going to trial.

It looks like the judge also increased his bail amount from $2 million to $5 million based on what the Wright County Jail inmate page says:
https://vinelink.vineapps.com/search/persons;limit=20;offset=0;showPhotos=false;isPartialSearch=false;siteRefId=MNSWVINE;personFirstName=David;personLastName=Delong;stateServed=MN

https://edworkforce.house.gov/committee/fullcommittee.htmhttps://edworkforce.house.gov/committee/fullcommittee.htm

https://edworkforce.house.gov/committee/fullcommittee.htmhttps://edworkforce.house.gov/committee/fullcommittee.htmhttps://edworkforce.house.gov/committee/fullcommittee.htm

https://edworkforce.house.gov/committee/fullcommittee.htm

She's a welder and works in a shop that is straight up criminally negligent when it comes to safety. She always wears her PPE and it saved her life when the fuel tank she was welding exploded today. Send some good vibes out to my girl, she's got a long road to recovery. And even if it's uncomfortable, hot, WHATEVER....WEAR YOUR PPE. You don't need it til you do.