# Dirty Jobs TV Show Factual Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 3, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149 "2008-02-03T22:34:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149/21 "2008-02-05T14:21:00Z")
FWIW, the show’s website has a FAQ section, where Mike Rowe talks about [safety](http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/dirtyjobs/boards/faqs/faqs-05.html#26), and the often cavalier attitude towards it on the show. > [@linked website](#): > > Q: You seem almost cavalier about safety on the show. Shouldn’t you be more careful to wear a mask or respirator on some of these jobs? > > Many have commented on my commitment 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 attempt 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. I suspect that there is a routine discussion, when the crew shows up on site, asking if this, that, or the other safety equipment is normally in place. And if the worker says they don’t normally use it, it comes off. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149/22 "2008-02-05T14:31:41Z")
[QUOTE=OtakuLoki] FWIW, the show’s website has a FAQ section, where Mike Rowe talks about [safety](http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/dirtyjobs/boards/faqs/faqs-05.html#26), and the often cavalier attitude towards it on the show. I suspect that there is a routine discussion, when the crew shows up on site, asking if this, that, or the other safety equipment is normally in place. And if the worker says they don’t normally use it, it comes off. [/QUOTE] How does the TV production company get their insurance company to allow their talent to flout safety guidelines? I think things are a little more sanitised and safe than the host is letting on. ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149/23 "2008-02-06T10:59:43Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] OSHA has only been with us since April of 1971: [THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION A History of its First Thirteen Years, 1971-1984](http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/mono-osha13introtoc.htm) [/QUOTE] ``` Thank you for correcting my date and memory.I now understand pop was in the throes of complying with the zeal of a new bureaucracy. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149/24 "2008-02-06T12:07:00Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Maybe they were grandfathered in. [/QUOTE] There’s part of your answer. Really old machines don’t always have to have modern safety guards installed. It all depends upon the type of machine and the work being done with it, and how often it’s being used. Not having seen the episode in question, I can’t comment on the equipment in it, but from the description, the bandsaw doesn’t sound any different than any I’ve ever used, and I can assure you that in at least a couple of places I’ve worked, OSHA _has_ been in there to inspect the place, and if the bandsaws were in any way improper, they’d have been fined. (Certainly they racked up enough OSHA fines in _other_ areas.) ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149/25 "2008-02-06T13:23:30Z")
WWTTTAD? What Would Tool Time Tim Allen Do? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149/26 "2008-02-06T14:13:27Z")
[QUOTE=Jinx] WWTTTAD? What Would Tool Time Tim Allen Do? 😃 [/QUOTE] Likely lose a hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-jobs-tv-show-factual-question/436149.md?page=1)