Sewer cleaners may not be very visible, but it’s an essential profession in our society. It’s physically demanding work that involves dirt, unpleasant odors, and sometimes dangerous situations. What do these people wear, and how do they prevent fainting when the smell becomes overwhelming? In this article, I’ll tell you everything about the workwear of the sewer cleaner.

Sewer cleaner versus plumber

When your sink is clogged, you’ll usually try to fix it yourself first. But that doesn’t always work. Especially when there’s a deeper problem with the sewer system. In that case, you need a sewer cleaner.

Don’t confuse them with plumbers, who deal with water supply and sanitation. Plumbers mainly work inside buildings and homes, while sewer cleaners operate mostly underground, focusing on drains and sewage systems. And that requires a completely different type of workwear.

The workwear of the sewer cleaner: safety from head to toe

A sewer cleaner deals daily with wastewater, sharp objects, slippery floors, and chemical agents. Because of these hazards, the law requires them to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Boots: Sewer cleaners wear boots that comply with EN ISO 20345 and meet at least safety class S3. The toe cap withstands an impact of 200 joules (a unit of energy used in safety footwear standards), which is enough to protect their toes if a manhole cover or tool drops on them.
• Gloves: To protect their hands from chemicals and microorganisms, sewer cleaners use gloves that meet the EN ISO 374 standard. Tests check penetration (whether bacteria or liquids can pass through seams), permeation (how quickly substances move through the material), and degradation (how the material reacts to chemical exposure).
• Workwear: Because they often work in wet environments, sewer cleaners rely on protective clothing. Garments that meet EN 13034 protect against liquid chemicals. This standard also measures the fabric’s abrasion resistance, tear strength, tensile strength, and seam durability.
• Respiratory protection: To prevent inhaling harmful substances, sewer cleaners use masks that meet EN 149. Depending on the class (FFP1, FFP2, or FFP3), the mask filters 80 to 98 percent of airborne particles.

Workwear is essential

It’s clear that the workwear of a sewer cleaner is not a luxury but a necessity. So, the next time you hire a company like Rioolned, take a look at what the sewer cleaners are wearing. Or ask them, like a true workwear nerd such as myself, whether their clothing is comfortable. You’ll often hear firsthand how they experience it, and you might learn something new about the fascinating stories behind workwear.

Best,

Aileen

This article was written in collaboration with Rioolned.