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50 Funny Engineering Blunders That Might Make You Feel Better About Your Own Mistakes (New Pics)
Safety should always come first, no matter what you’re doing: whether you’re planning a dip in the ocean on your vacation or fixing a leaky roof at home. There’s simply no good reason to cut corners when it comes to protecting yourself and others.
But if you’re curious about what can go wrong when people throw caution (and common sense) out the window, you don’t have to look far. One scroll through the Engineer Zamora Facebook page will show you exactly how hilariously (and terrifyingly) reckless some people can be. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most jaw-dropping safety fails shared on the page. Get ready to shake your head, laugh nervously, and maybe double-check your own toolbox.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Forrest Hobbs 4 months ago (edited)
My guess: there was once a sink. Someone decided to cover it over and/or remove it, adding the electrical sockets. Removing the tap takes plumbing skills and perhaps such skills were unavailable - or perhaps someone thought it might be useful to keep the tap. Lack of joined-up thinking isn't uncommon.
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#2
Nikole 4 months ago
*slides out of tiny window at the top, walks like a Rockette down the staircase*
Untamed Snark 4 months ago
Tries to slide out the tiny window, butt gets caught, eventually wiggles free only to slide down the stairs on my stomach.
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Ace 4 months ago
TBF that's just been removed for painting, or whatever. You can even see the mounting points on the wall, up to the top door so presumably not coming all the way to the ground; maybe with a pull-down ladder at the bottom to stop people using it as an entrance.
B Hobbs 4 months ago
I suspect the stairs are being replaced, maybe the old ones were unsafe. These could be the old stairs, attachments cut, shifted to make sure everything is disconnected. Or these are the new pre built stairs, ready to be moved over and attached.
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Stephanie Did It 4 months ago
On the bright side, you did escape the fire.
Load More Replies... Cuppa tea? 4 months ago
Team 1 - did you install door? Yes. Team 2 - did you install stairs? Yes. Teams, did you talk to each other? .........not really, why?
Leo Goldin 4 months ago
Judging by the side these are bathroom windows. I guess the stairs were built by some pervert
#3
Most of us spend a huge chunk of our lives at work, whether it’s at a bustling office, a factory floor, or a cozy little shop. And while we all get caught up in meetings, deadlines, and to-do lists, safety often takes a backseat. But it shouldn’t, because understanding why workplace accidents happen is the first step to stopping them. Sometimes, it’s the simplest oversight that leads to the biggest trouble.
#4
Michael Largey 4 months ago (edited)
And we don't need no privacy stinkin' , either.
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Mrs Irish Mom 4 months ago (edited)
American toilets are hilarious but at least this one you can't see the face, you can see everything else tho
L.V 4 months ago
There's enough space between the doors to see au least one eye 😄
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#5
JB 4 months ago
I love how people refer to these as "witches stairs," as if it wouldn't just k**l any old woman who walked down it. "Well if she died on the stairs, she must've been a witch."
Virgil Blue 4 months ago
Who art though who is so wise in the ways of science? 😄
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Science Nerd 4 months ago
Escher would have also run the steps across the walls.
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#6
If your job keeps you glued to a desk, you might think you’re safe, but repetitive tasks can quietly take a toll. Repetitive Strain Injury is exactly what it sounds like: tiny, repeated movements that slowly cause pain in your wrists, shoulders, neck, or back. Typing all day, clicking a mouse, or sitting in a bad posture for hours can do real damage over time. Even people on assembly lines or in packaging face this, so switching things up and taking breaks really does help!
#7
Mrs Irish Mom 4 months ago
When you go the toilet at night your pet can watch from the door gap and keep you safe
Some Random Person 4 months ago
This could also be a door for your pets, so they can watch you do your business
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
This makes me think of a bathroom door with a built-in cat flap. Which may not be a completely bad idea; should at least prevent scratching.
#8
Verena 4 months ago
This is taken at a German sauna, I bet. Everybody is stark naked there. But any devices which can take photos there are not permitted. I am more concerned about that black thingy on the wall in the back.
Trillian 4 months ago
While we like to be naked in a sauna we also value bathroom privacy.
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Nikole 4 months ago
Yeah, I’m more concerned about that. Naked pooping in a public bathroom? Where are his clothes???
Load More Replies... persephone134 4 months ago
Glass stalls is one thing, but taking your clothes of in a public rest room?
Gunnar Strandt 4 months ago
Would be funny when these wall wouldn't be translucent but have graphics like that
#9
Nikole 4 months ago
Now you and Georgia have to fight to the death. I’m sorry, but I don’t make the rules.
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G A 4 months ago (edited)
OK, this one does look very AI, with the weird upside down shelves, outdoors benches and a school desk, plus the weird steps/ramp combo.
Electricity is another everyday thing that can turn dangerous in seconds. Sure, we expect electrical hazards on big construction sites, but faulty plugs, frayed wires, or overloaded outlets in an office can shock, burn, or worse. A buzzing socket isn’t a quirky office feature; it’s a warning sign! So if you see dodgy cords or exposed wires, say something. Better to fix it now than wish you had later.
#10
Kira Okah 4 months ago
From a google, this is coming up as Cyprus, not the US.
Load More Replies... Mrs Irish Mom 4 months ago
I hope you didn't buy that jumper in penny's cos it's gonna rip any min
Susan BetzJitomir 4 months ago
Please stop making everything political. This is just stupidity and OSHA inspectors aren't there 24 seven to make sure people don't do dumb things.
Forrest Hobbs 4 months ago
Susan BetzJitomir: but everything is political. Once upon a time, the idea of "universal human rights" and "effective safety regulations" were regarded by all as Good Things. Now, in many nations, the politicians have decided to politicise such things and - for political reasons - undermine those ideas so they can scrap legal obligations to uphold human rights and safety regulations. When the politicians are politicising basic rights so they can undermine them to the detriment of all, well then - we have to respond. If you don't like living in a political world, please do return to kindergarten and let us adults get on with the political stuff - politics being how adults run the adult world we live in.
Load More Replies... skittleitup 4 months ago
i went to India to meet my husband's family and every construction site was flip flops or bare feet and these skirt things they wear kind of like a towel but connected so u just Tuck it up to get it to stay like u would a towel. I wish I could remember what they're called ...I've never seen anything like it and they would just sleep at the job site . in palitana the hotel we got a room at was being renovated and you could see the construction guys sleeping at night on bed pads on the lower roof where they were working. it's just another world. but I didn't see 1 gun just sticks for defence lol
Marlene Ricker 4 months ago
Seems to me, with two guys holding onto the top of his shirt, if he slips, the shirt will be the only thing saved!!
#11
zovjraar me 4 months ago
when people don't know the difference between deck mount and wall mount
#12
Next up is the office kitchen, the unofficial workplace social hub and a surprisingly common accident zone. Coffee spills, dripping mugs, and water splashes around the sink can create slippery floors in no time. Add smooth tile or linoleum; one wrong step can mean a twisted ankle. A quick mop, a clear sign, and good shoes can keep everyone on their feet and out of the ER.
#13
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
If by that you mean that his intellect is at zero degrees, I'm inclined to agree.
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QuincyForrest 4 months ago
Yeah. On the ladder. So the ladder is going to come out of this safe, a-ok.
Load More Replies... #14
blixten1982 4 months ago
This one doesn't look like a mistake, it actually looks like a pretty cool way to put a door in that space.
#15
megabeth 4 months ago
My car is currently like this but w zip ties. Works...
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Walkways and corridors can be booby traps if people get careless. One forgotten box, a tangled extension cord, or frayed carpet corners can trip up even the most careful coworker. And when lights are too dim, the danger doubles. A well-lit hallway, tidy floors, and secured cables can spare your shins from unnecessary bruises.
#16
Shane S 4 months ago (edited)
I bet this is a dřúg screen bathroom. Some d**g screens are “observed” which is how they make sure you’re not smuggling in clean urine
B Hobbs 4 months ago
When I had to pee in a cup for d**g screening, the observer was right there "observing" to make sure the pee came from me. I have read about folk that strap a bag to their leg of "clean" pee with a tube to the appropriate location. I think our observers would have caught that. US military.
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Snackmachine 4 months ago
When you've been sectioned at some hospitals they also keep an eye at all times
#17
Nikole 4 months ago
Yeah man, if you can do it, go for it. Quite impressive.
Load More Replies... persephone134 4 months ago
Or buy a small aluminium ladder. I had to buy one for my last move. They are not expensive. And they come in handy in different situations.
Hiram's Friend 4 months ago
My standard wedding gift. Everybody needs a three step ladder. And as an aside, you can never be too pretty, too rich, or have too much rope.
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#18
Ace 4 months ago
Honestly I'm fine with that. No need at all for the hob to be over the oven. When I installed my latest kitchen, for my own use, I put the induction hob over the top of the dishwasher and the oven in the unit next to it. Yes, there were good reasons for doing so. I do see that aesthetically the above example is a bit jarring though.
Ace 4 months ago
Could be that the extractor hood was in that position, then the new units couldn't easily be made to fit, particularly if, say, they were installing a dishwasher into a small kitchen that didn't previously have one...
Load More Replies...Sometimes, our hurried habits cause accidents. We swing doors open without a glance, turn corners at full speed, or bump into each other near the printer. Most of the time, it’s just awkward, but add hot coffee, sharp scissors, or heavy files, and you have a recipe for real injuries. Leaving file drawers pulled all the way out is another classic hazard. Nobody wants a surprise shin collision on a Monday morning.
#19
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
Would Anoia* be pleased or insulted by this? (* - Discworld Goddess of things that get stuck in drawers)
Uncle Panda 4 months ago
It's the perfect drawer to keep copier paper neatly stacked and ready to go.
Some Random Person 4 months ago
Is it an illustration to one of those extra difficult geometry problems in the final test?
#20
Heffalump 4 months ago (edited)
This is lack of maintenance, not poor engineering/construction. There's a vertical pipe under that grating, and that's not going to settle while the rest of the area inevitable does. You have to periodically go in and cut a few inches off the top of the pipe with a stone saw and replace the grating slab. If you started with it recessed it would just get buried.
G A 4 months ago
It would appear the whole area is overwhelmed, as that one drain wouldn't manage what seems to be a fair sized lake of flooding
Bored Trash Panda 4 months ago
Yea, but a functional drain would help prevent a lot of the flooding...
Load More Replies... #21
Marlene Ricker 4 months ago
How ugly!! For starters it looks like a jail, it must have the skinniest rooms ever and those stairs, I have no words!!
Kira Okah 4 months ago
I'm finding different dates on each half of the picture, don't know if the two images are related.
Machines and tools can be a huge help or a hidden threat if they’re not cared for. A missing guard, a dull blade, or loose parts can cause nasty injuries before you even realize what happened. Regular maintenance, safety checks, and using machines the way they’re meant to be used aren’t about being picky; it’s about getting home safe with all your fingers intact.
#22
Lara Verne 4 months ago
"I don't get it! We left them an entire lane as a bike path, and they still have accidents!"
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
I'm exactly the guy who would be distracted by something and never see that post coming!
#23
Lotekguy 4 months ago
Unfortunately, a bunch of the others make this one look safe and sensible.
L.V 4 months ago
The work might get ruined, but they will survive, and probably won't be injured
Load More Replies... Norm Gilmore 4 months ago
I hate practical jokes but if I was the guy taking the weight even I would be tempted to roll off and let gravity take it's course... :-)
Lara Verne 4 months ago (edited)
Well, in case of an accident, they would probably survive without serious injures......
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
Well, when it comes to floating concrete out in the middle of the pour, "if it's stupid and it works..."
TotallyNOTAFox 4 months ago
They rotate 90 degree and get off by rolling onto the sidewalk?
Load More Replies... LooseSeal's $10 Banana 4 months ago
Sometimes you've just got to figure out a way to get the job done.
#24
One major reason accidents happen? Not enough training. It’s easy to assume everyone knows how to lift a heavy box or safely operate new equipment, but if they don’t, mistakes can happen fast. Good training shouldn’t be a boring formality. Refresher sessions help remind everyone how to do their jobs safely, whether they’re new or have been around for years.
#25
Norm Gilmore 4 months ago
I'm guessing (and only guessing from working/being on lots of building sites) that there maybe inspection ports into plumbing/sewerage pipes for maintenance/repair.
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Marlene Ricker 4 months ago
I can see most people going through this door sideways with everything sucked in!
#26
Nikole 4 months ago
Your comment made me focus on him and now I have goosebumps
Load More Replies... Marlene Ricker 4 months ago
This is just too weird for words!! They are both holding onto his sweater and the one guy seems to holding him by his balls!!!!
#27
Abel 4 months ago (edited)
I can see myself trying to reach it with my pants down and jumping like an idiot...
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
This made me laugh so loud my wife came in to see what was so funny. "Oh my," she said.
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And finally, even the best safety plans fail if nobody’s watching. Lack of supervision can lead to shortcuts, risky habits, or missed red flags. A good supervisor isn’t just a boss; they’re someone who keeps an eye out, sets an example, and makes sure safety rules don’t gather dust in a binder.
No matter where you work, safety should always come first. These posts give you a glimpse of just how risky things can get when it doesn’t. Which one of these near-misses made your heart skip a beat? Tell us below!
#28
#30
Ace 4 months ago
An easy mistake to make as well. But yeah, about 30 seconds with an electric screwdriver.
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Brandi VanSteenwyk 3 months ago
I am betting that this was a prank being played on someone. Easily switched around.
G A 4 months ago
No they aren't. You install all the handles and catches yourself. Doors are shipped flat.
Load More Replies... #31
Bigfoot87 4 months ago
It's definitely for security. That thing is solid. No one is getting through. \s
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PeepPeep the duck 4 months ago
This happens a lot I’ve seen driving around aus, rural properties mainly too 😂 I just assume they are in a financial halt or pickle to finish it and then just never bother
#32
Science Nerd 4 months ago
Perfect for Ginger Rogers. (Search for “backwards and in high heels)
Load More Replies... #33
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 4 months ago
This is genuinely one of the most inspired make shift repairs I've ever seen.
#34
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
Okay, that did it Nikole! I've reported you to the Anti-Jocularity Team AND I'm going to have to follow you just to keep laughing. By the way, that's EXACTLY what I said out loud before I scrolled down to see you saying it first!
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Georgia Ireland 4 months ago
Just seeing this picture exacerbates my fear of ladders/heights. NOPE!
#35
Kira Okah 4 months ago (edited)
I assume that the rail on the escape doors folds down to complete the fire escape.
Ace 4 months ago
Not much use if you're coming down from the floor above though.
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Khavrinen 4 months ago
You just have to make sure the bus stays above 50mph when you make the jump...
#36
Pseudonym For An Author 4 months ago
“No, of course the door doesn’t open. Why do you ask? Does it need to?”
Talis 4 months ago
I think it opens to the inside. It's a tripping hazard.
Load More Replies... #37
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
Safe bet that panel above the tank removes to provide access to the workings. I've seen worse.
Georgia Ireland 4 months ago
No grout lines on some of those tiles, so I'm fairly certain you're right.
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#39
Kira Okah 4 months ago
Maybe the botched collision could be of use and they can use it to get out of bounds to speedrun the work day.
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Gabby Ghoul 4 months ago
Those look like temporary walls used to cordon off an area for construction or remodeling.
Norm Gilmore 4 months ago
Seen similar where things need to be kept operating on the other side right to the last minute. It's then taken out and the plasterers come in to do their patch up. OR, "not my job to take it down boss"...
#40
Lara Verne 4 months ago
Bold of you to assume I need heels to fall down the stairs like these.
Load More Replies... #41
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
We must be about the same age (70), judging from your references in your comments. Hilarious, by the way.
Load More Replies... #42
OneHappyPuppy 4 months ago
I'd say yes. To the left is obviously a ramp - probably sacrificed the stairs for some accessibility
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#43
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
Mmmm - looks like there *might* have been a door there at some point, and it was replaced by wall and window.
#44
PeepPeep the duck 4 months ago
I mean, if you add rails and powder coat it, it’ll make a fun slide I guess 😂
OneHappyPuppy 4 months ago
How does one install stairs upside down?? This is not the first time I'm seeing this
ƒιѕн 4 months ago
Unskilled workers that don't understand how forming for concrete stairs works.
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#45
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
I come to BP for the comments much more than the memes. It reminds me people can be hilarious! Thanks for the yucks!
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#46
#47
#48
Geoffrey Scott 4 months ago
About 100 yds up the road, there is a crowbar embedded in the tar. Not sure if it was paved that way, but it seems unlikely in Michigan the pavement would get hot enough to sink in.
Rachel Reynolds 4 months ago
How many 10mm sockets could we uncover if we really dug for them?!
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
We stationed a staff member in every job where drywallers were working in the 1980's in one condo site in Vermont. They were so poorly paid and looked for ways to entertain themselves before putting up the walls. Then they'd leave notes about what was back there for other contractors or owner's reps to find. Sigh!
skittleitup 4 months ago
you really don't wanna know what is behind some walls in your house. I've known builders of all kinds. one in particular left a cup of poop before putting up the drywall.... I've heard of so many things being left in walls just because I guess they like knowing something u don't about the house they helped build idk lol
#49
Daniel Atkins 4 months ago
How do you turn it on? Pressure activated or do you holler out the window?
#50
MsPlants 4 months ago
i live with boys this is for splash prevention not privacy. why are all yall so messy! lol
Forrest Hobbs 4 months ago
Because the (ahem) hose pipe doesn't always send the stream in a single direction. Random spraying is also a thing. Also, it can take a while for youngsters to figure out that, erm, you need to stand closer than that. Etc. Hard to see how anyone could be messy enough to need that sort of divider, though.
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#51
Chihuahua Mama 4 months ago
It's fine. Everyone knows you only need 35% of a structural beam... right?
#52
Ghostchaplain16 4 months ago
Add a swimming pool at the end and advertise poolside dining.
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#53
#54
Bill Swallow 4 months ago
One *does* wonder at the amount of effort required to fit the ceiling drywall so neatly around the pipe...
#55
#57
#58
#59
Jack Handy 4 months ago
And here I thought hiring painters was because they have the right tools and supplies.
#61
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#63
Nikole 4 months ago
And that toilet paper looks so very, very thin. That’s okay though because you won’t be able to reach it.
michael reid 4 months ago
It costs half the price so you can use twice as much!
Load More Replies... #64
Rodriquez 4 days ago
It is indeed. Someone put it there for the photo. It's not meant for wheelchairs
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#66
#68
#69
Trisec Tebeakesse 4 months ago
NBD. They didn't bother to take down the hoop before re-purposing the parking lot it was in.
#76
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Rodriquez 4 days ago
Why are you thanking them for copy and pasting from other sites?
Load More Replies... Rodriquez 4 days ago
Why are you thanking them for copy and pasting from other sites?
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