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“Safety First!”: This Online Group Is Dedicated To The Dumbest Work Safety Examples, Here Are 45 Of The Worst Ones (New Pics)
No matter what job you do, each workplace has its own work and safety requirements every employee has to follow without a second thought. For other health and safety regulations, the employer is responsible, as it makes sure no worker gets harmed while on duty, which might also make them eligible for compensation.
Some people, however, choose to play with luck and see where ignoring all they know about safety in the workplace will take them. As we may suspect, it won’t be far, and their safety violation cases will also land in this notorious corner of Reddit known as OSHA.
Created back in 2013, the community’s slogan reminds everyone of “Safety First,” something that the examples which get shared there totally lack. Below we selected some of the craziest posts shared on the OSHA subreddit, so scroll down. Also, be sure to check out our previous features with more OSHA content here, here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Captain Ladder Has Arrived
RELATED:
#2
Just A Small Jump And It'll Move Again, Nothing To Worry About Jim
#3
Stairway To Heaven
#4
Artif Anchor
#5
Safety Suggestions Are Overrated, Guts And Sheer Will Suffice
#6
Just A Man On A Stack Of Pallets Raised By A Forklift Changing The Bulb On A Street Light
Livingroom Panda 4 years ago
idk, it seems like it should be on the redneck engineering post ngl
#7
If It Gets Wet You Might Have To Buy A New One
#8
I'm On It Boss
#9
A Signboard For The Blind Next To Bare Wire
#10
Padlocked Fire Exit During Office Renovation
#11
Fixing An Ac Compressor On A Level 28 Ledge
Downunderdude 4 years ago
I hope he's not the kind of guy to step back to admire his finished work.
#12
Working Safely
Foxxy says goodbye. 4 years ago (edited)
I wonder if this was done purposefully. EDIT: purposely.
#13
Something Tells Me Y'all Might Appreciate The Acid Watering Can At My Work
#14
If Only There Was Another Way To Get Up There
#16
Someone Complained About Contractors Leaving A Hole Exposed Without Any Barriers. This Was Their Solution
#17
Living N The Edge
Foxxy says goodbye. 4 years ago
I don't even like standing on the top step of these small ladders, let alone the top bar.
#18
Wanna Go To The Hospital? Nah I’m Good
#19
3 Persons = 6 Feet; 6 Feet < 50 Feet. Looks Safe To Me
#20
This Is Safe? Right?
#21
Don't Worry, I Won't
#22
Does The Operator Get Hazard Pay?
#23
No Expert, But This Doesn't Look Safe
Stephen Smith 4 years ago
It's safe.. not power cables.. but I don't think your network or phone will work.
#24
Definition Of Safety Issues At My Work
#25
I Don't Think This Is A Proper Use Of A Forklift
#26
Introducing Donkey-Kong-Arcade-Level Scaffolding
#27
Now I Know Why They Say These 6’ Ladders Are So Dangerous
#28
At Least They Give You A Warning. Seen At A Boot Retailer
#29
At Least They’re Wearing High-Vis Gear. Just Don’t Look Down
#30
This Space Heater Is Definitely Not Causing Any Problems
#31
He Told Me, “The Boss Said This Is How We Always Do It”
#32
Labor Foreman Didn’t Feel Like Moving The Lift So This Is How He Wants Us To Unload
#33
"What Are You Looking At!?!?!"
#34
At Least The Load Was Secure For When The Truck Bed Complete Detaches
#35
The Truck Was Driving, For Maximum Power Washing Efficiency
#36
That Should Do It
#37
I’m Not Sure How Many Times I Have Told Coworkers This. Never Wear Gloves Near A Spindle Or A Belt
#38
Cigarettes And Gasoline
Voodoops_13 4 years ago
People forget that gas fumes are combustible and assume if there's no liquid visible they're fine.
#39
My Dad's Colleague Checking His Phone On The New Staircases They Built
Foxxy says goodbye. 4 years ago (edited)
Please tell me that's not how the staircase will be once completed.
#40
For Rent 1500/Month
#41
Wish I Could See The "Safe" Way They Pulled It Down
#42
If Your Electric Box Doesn’t Have A Cover Just Use A Cardboard Box
#43
Sorry Boss The Cockpit Door Wouldn’t Open
Sue Wade-Walters 4 years ago
This is an emergency situation, using the removable cockpit window and a luggage belt.
#44
Looks Good Boss
#45
Had New Gutters Installed. Came Home To This. Informed Them Not To Do That While On My Property And Sent Photo To Company
#46
I Live In Alaska And They Said These Were Ok…winter Will Be Here In No Time
#47
Whatever Works
#48
So Was Anyone Aware There Are Chemicals That Burst Into Flames When In Contact With Cardboard? Because That's What We Learned At Work Today
#49
Very Nsfw
#50
I Hope The Er Has A 2 For 1 Special
#51
Boss: “You Don’t Need Any Ppe For That Tool, Quit Whining”
#52
Yep. Thats Totally A Corrosive Liquid. Can Definitely Pack This Right Next To Flammable
#53
Racking Is Still A Year+ Out
#54
New Bossfight?
Cheesenacho 4 years ago
I can't imagine ANYONE being able to control this. The centrical force must be horrendous!
#55
Spotted At Home Depot Garden Centre Lol
#56
Let Me Secure This Load Real Quick
#57
Does This Count?
Call my whatever. 4 years ago
Uhh hmm sure noo I don't think we'll mabye uhh hmm no no no........
#58
The Triple Ladder Scaffolding
#59
This Ladder On My Job Site That Is Held Together With A Strip Of House Wrap & A Strap
#60
This Is Quite The Engine Hoist
#61
Thanks For The Warning
#62
The Helicopter. Grinder Attachments From Hell-Fb
#63
Standing On The Fueling Nozzle To Get That Extra Reach
Teampandas GF 4 years ago
...or... perhaps... That he doesn't have to pick it up from the floor?
#64
Let Me Just Cut Out These Pesky Beams
Christos Arvanitis 4 years ago
I can attest to this. I'm a contractor and I see this quite frequently when doing renovations. The plumber had cut through supporting beams. Very common unfortunately and still gets me mad every time that I see it!
#65
Hope Nobody Dies
#66
Double Bonus; Load Hit The Bridge And Came Off In Traffic, Recover And Ride The Load
#67
Garage Door Installer
#68
Does The Wooden Box Make It Safer?
#69
Solvent Got Too Hot In The Sun After Being Left Outside
#70
Cans Don't Have Too Much Mass Right?
Fiona Farman 4 years ago
The pallets are meant to be turned the other way, so they lock into the racking. That is terrifyingly that they are all just sitting on top of the racks.
#71
Apparently These Are Legal To Sell?
#73
First Aid Box At Work Nearly Empty. I’m Bleeding And There Isn’t Even Basic Band Aids. Would This Be Reportable To Osha?
Alexandra Davis 4 years ago
My dad is a health and safety consultant and in the Uk and said it 100% would be here, so I'm guessing it would there too
#74
Accomplishing The Mission
Hiram's Friend 4 years ago
Judging by the shadow that's a solid aluminum catwalk. Construction is similar to a ladder but it has a deck built on it. Get it at Home Depot
#75
Looking For Angle Grinder Wheels On Amazon And Came Across This Guy
Tuna Fish 4 years ago
My husband did this once. Once was all it took. He wears a beard now to cover where the doctors reattached his lips and chin when they were sliced off after he hit a pressurized pipe. A 20 dollar face shield would have made it a no big deal situation. Luckily he lived and learned. He's more safety conscious than the safety guy at work now. Imagine that.
#76
Let's Do A Diff Service Real Quick
#78
When You Spot It
#79
Bashed My Knee On This In Gordansville, Va. Egress? We Don’t Need No Stinking Egress!
#80
120psi Air Pressure On Pvc Pipes. All Aboveground Alongside Walls And Roof Within Feet Of People
#81
Grounded
#82
Massive Dip In The Yard At Work, Forklifts Have To Cross It All Day
#83
At My Job. I Have No Words
#84
That’s A Lot Of Trust In Wooden Pallets
#85
Trench Safety? Is That A Thing?
#86
My Buddy Sent Me This, Inside Walmart Warehouse
#87
Mcosha Approved
Kristin Ingersoll 4 years ago
Hey! If they didn't want me on the top step, they shouldn't have made the top a step!!!
#88
Seen At A Former Job
Hiram's Friend 4 years ago (edited)
Well, it's a hot, neutral and ground. Would have preferred a covered wire. But as a temporary solution, it works. More of a trip hazard than an electrical one.
#89
Picking Lychees
Violet Jensen 4 years ago
I have an example from my first job!! My manager got mad at me for sitting down to edit a payroll and threw me outside the store— after dark as a teenage girl, alone, WHILE THERE WAS A GUY STALKING TEENAGE GIRLS HOME!!! what a great job experience <333
#90
400a @ 480v No Lug Cover
Add New Image
What do you think ?
kathryn stretton 4 years ago
I once found a very mangled up gold wedding ring in a bag of sawdust for my hamster bedding. It was once beautiful. Engraved outside, and inside with stunning script, but all twisted and torn. I worried so much if she had had her finger ripped off in machinery. I wrote to them (pre internet) with photos and details. A whole 3 weeks later I received a reply. The lady factory worker doesn't know how she lost it, but was delighted it was found, and yes, her hand was intact. I was so relieved. All's well that ends well. Phew !!
Phyzzi 4 years ago
Probably taken off and either put aside or fell out of a (shirt?) pocket or they would not have been able to sell that bedding.
Load More Replies... Foxxy says goodbye. 4 years ago
So much anxiety inducing images. No wonder the rates of deaths in the construction (and similar) are high when there is so much of this stuff going on. It's dangerous enough doing things the right and safe way.
Maple Porkly 4 years ago
Looking back on my childhood working for my parents we did some questionable things that wouldn't fly today. Here are a couple from the cleaning business they had: 1. We cleaned apartment buildings downtown on "junkie row". It was pretty common for people to break into one of the buildings and shoot up in the stairwell areas that were intended for safe shelter in case of earthquakes (also common where I live). Because of the spacing, they'd toss their used needles in the back where only a kid could reach them. So every weekend my job was to take a dust pan and small pail to shovel them. No gloves, no long sleeves. It's a miracle I was never jabbed with one. 2. Also in those same buildings. When a tenant moved out we'd clean the place for the next person to move in including the windows. I remember my dad holding me by the ankles as I cleaned the exterior windows on the 4th floor.
Dillon Brown 4 years ago
😬 I don't think that's "something that wouldn't fly today" that's something that shouldn't fly ever! I could understand if they were ignorant of diseases spread through needles, maybe, but dangling you outside a window headfirst from 4 stories! Yikes!!! 😳
Load More Replies... kathryn stretton 4 years ago
I once found a very mangled up gold wedding ring in a bag of sawdust for my hamster bedding. It was once beautiful. Engraved outside, and inside with stunning script, but all twisted and torn. I worried so much if she had had her finger ripped off in machinery. I wrote to them (pre internet) with photos and details. A whole 3 weeks later I received a reply. The lady factory worker doesn't know how she lost it, but was delighted it was found, and yes, her hand was intact. I was so relieved. All's well that ends well. Phew !!
Phyzzi 4 years ago
Probably taken off and either put aside or fell out of a (shirt?) pocket or they would not have been able to sell that bedding.
Load More Replies... Foxxy says goodbye. 4 years ago
So much anxiety inducing images. No wonder the rates of deaths in the construction (and similar) are high when there is so much of this stuff going on. It's dangerous enough doing things the right and safe way.
Maple Porkly 4 years ago
Looking back on my childhood working for my parents we did some questionable things that wouldn't fly today. Here are a couple from the cleaning business they had: 1. We cleaned apartment buildings downtown on "junkie row". It was pretty common for people to break into one of the buildings and shoot up in the stairwell areas that were intended for safe shelter in case of earthquakes (also common where I live). Because of the spacing, they'd toss their used needles in the back where only a kid could reach them. So every weekend my job was to take a dust pan and small pail to shovel them. No gloves, no long sleeves. It's a miracle I was never jabbed with one. 2. Also in those same buildings. When a tenant moved out we'd clean the place for the next person to move in including the windows. I remember my dad holding me by the ankles as I cleaned the exterior windows on the 4th floor.
Dillon Brown 4 years ago
😬 I don't think that's "something that wouldn't fly today" that's something that shouldn't fly ever! I could understand if they were ignorant of diseases spread through needles, maybe, but dangling you outside a window headfirst from 4 stories! Yikes!!! 😳
Load More Replies...
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