Chemical Worker's Song

The Chemical Worker's Song, originally called "The ICI Song," was written in 1964 by Ron Angel of Cleveland, UK. This is the version I posted to TikTok July 18th 2021. For more music:

[AFKKiyoshi]

Fun fact they actually timed your every breath. OSHA would only allow you to stay for a limited time in a toxic environment until you need to take a break. And all the factories would give you a break by making you work somewhere else in a less toxic area than put you back into where you were before with the heaver toxic fumes. So essentially you never really got a break and they didn’t break OSHA’s standards.

[kaylas]

Not only is your voice amazing, but the kind of sad drone of that concertina in the background is just plain haunting. Amazing.

[TheTsarsTailor]

I’m not a chemical worker but I’ve worked in melted plastics in factories and as a welder in very poorly ventilated areas where the smoke and fumes would be a literal fog in the building where you can’t see the other wall. I always sing this under my breath.
Me and the fellas at work always joke when the day is done we have a (company’s name) tan because when we wash our hands we loose a shade or two of dust and grit all over our skin and faces I always joke and say to some of them that they looked like they crawled out of a coal mine- and they always say you too man.

[JohnRutherford]

My grandfather was a process-man here in Texas. He saw some pretty terrible things working in the plants. Never told me half of it.

[Xaevryn]

Oh crap! hey thanks for covering this. I'm a chemical worker as well (SL2/Specialist) and this song always hit home for me. There's time's i'm tied off, in my PAPR and chem suit in 110 degree heat trying to unclog a silo and the song just plays in the back of my head.

[Silasssssssss]

Last year when I worked in a steel mill where they processed carcinogen contaminated scrap (Cr6/Asbetos) I used to sing this under my full face respirator with forced induction. Probably for the best for the other workers. Caught fire a few times, got burns, nearly died. All sorts of fun things

[samsadowitz]

This song is one of those that makes me honestly think that nothing has fundamentally changed.

In a lot of warehouse/factory jobs around the US today seem to be filled with horror stories like this. It's sad and infuriating at the same time.

[ReallyTwistedHumor]

Management have learned to duck and cover if my shift come in humming this tune

[slavicpilot]

I love this rendition of the song. Rather than the super polished original this version sounds true to the story. Good work

[victorkreig]

Was waiting to see you tackle some more land based work songs, such a haunting tale

[willminner]

fantastic, as a chemical worker this made me smile.

[nopenadanowaynohow]

worked plastics same thing. toxic work, toxic company attitude. Thank you for the song so well sung !

[DanHoelck]

If you're taking requests, I'd love to hear your rendition of Whiskey in the Jar.

[gabrielchapman]

Hearing this after I got my process technology degree is very reassuring 👍

[matttravers]

Crazy how this song is still true for so many today. Incredible rendition, man! Thanks for sharing

[HailHydra]

I know "they'll time your every breath" is about measuring your exposure to dangerous chemicals, but when you run a machine thats constantly tracking how fast you're working and comparing you to the almighty KPI it still feels relevant to me

[thecpmr]

I only am beginning to realize now that I'm a welder just how important it is to take care of your lungs. It wasn't even remotely taught to me that you should wear a breathing mask. Stay safe, fellas. Don't be self-conscious. It's uncomfortable, but so is being a welder, so wear a breather.

[galaxywanderer]

Great renditioning. Sung this song to myself a few times cleaning out diesel storage tanks over the summer...

[WieldingEminator]

You and Seth Staton Watkins do a great job in covering this song in both of your individual unique ways! Perhaps a duet could be in order, someday?

[fencernerd]

There are several "higher production value" versions of this song up on YouTube. This one is still by far my favorite. It's the one version that really captures the spirit of the song.