Ep 13. Dirtiest Machines on the Planet

In season 3 episode 13 of Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe sets out to explore the dirtiest machines on the planet. As a worker himself, Rowe is no stranger to getting his hands dirty, but even he is taken aback by the sheer amount of filth and grime that some of these machines accumulate.

First, Rowe travels to a garbage dump to meet a group of workers who operate the world's largest landfill compactor. These machines weigh over 200,000 pounds and are responsible for compressing millions of tons of garbage each year. Rowe gets a behind-the-scenes look at how the machines work, and even gets to operate one himself. He quickly realizes that being inside the cab of a landfill compactor is a dirty job indeed, as the stench of rotting garbage permeates everything.

Next, Rowe heads to a sewage treatment plant to meet the crew responsible for maintaining the plant's massive grit chambers. These chambers are designed to remove sand, gravel, and other debris from the incoming wastewater, and are cleaned out by hand every few months. Rowe dons a hazmat suit and joins the crew as they venture into the dark and smelly chambers. The work is backbreaking and dangerous, but the crew takes pride in their job and the vital role they play in keeping the local water supply clean.

From there, Rowe travels to a quarry to meet the operators of a huge rock crusher. These machines can chew through mountains of rock, but they also generate an incredible amount of dust and debris in the process. Rowe gets a close-up look at the machine's crushing jaws and is amazed by the power they possess. He also learns about the safety protocols in place to protect the workers from the constant barrage of rocks and dust.

Finally, Rowe heads to a factory where they make fibrous plasterboard - a common building material. The production process involves mixing water, wood pulp, and other materials together in huge vats, then passing the mixture through a series of machines that squeeze out the excess water and form the plasterboard sheets. The factory is incredibly loud and dirty, and the workers operate the machinery at breakneck speeds. Rowe is amazed by the precision and efficiency of the machines, but also appalled by the conditions under which the workers must operate.

Throughout the episode, Rowe marvels at the ingenuity and power of the various machines he encounters, but he also takes time to appreciate the hardworking people who operate them. He recognizes that their jobs are some of the dirtiest and most dangerous in the world, but he also sees the pride and satisfaction they take in doing them well.

Overall, Dirty Jobs season 3 episode 13 is a fascinating and eye-opening look at the machines that help drive our modern world, and the people who keep them running. It's a reminder that behind every impressive piece of machinery is a team of dedicated workers, willing to get their hands dirty to make things happen.