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Safety in the workplace should be a no-brainer. You’re there to earn a paycheck, not to have fun, so it’s important to follow all the rules. After all, you’re only endangering yourself by cutting corners!
But for some reason, there are plenty of employees out there who seem dedicated to living life on the edge (sometimes literally). We took a trip to the OSHA subreddit and gathered some of their most egregious photos below. From balancing on multiple ladders at once to using power tools without any protection, the workers featured here seem to think that they have nine lives. Good luck getting through this list without having a heart attack, pandas, and be sure to upvote the photos that give you a greater appreciation for your desk job.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Dangerously Confusing Perspective
LakotaWolf (she/her) 20 hours ago
OH. They're standing on the scoopy-thing-part of a raised bulldozer-thingy.
RELATED:
#2
That's One Way To Do It
#3
Gateway Arch Cleaning
Bob Brooce 21 hours ago
This is real, but from 1965. Fall protection wasn't much of thing back then, and safety harnesses weren't used during construction, but nobody died. The insurance company predicted 13 deaths.
If you sit at a desk all day typing away and sending emails, you might not feel the need for any OSHA training in your workplace. After all, you don’t really run the risk of burning the place down or losing a limb after clocking in. But there are many industries where health and safety regulations are absolutely vital to ensure that employees and companies don’t have to worry.
According to OSHA’s website, their rules and regulations not only increase safety, but also improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, increase a company’s profitability and decrease legal risks for everyone. But to ensure that everyone actually benefits from their rules, it’s important for employees to receive proper OSHA education and training when starting a new job. And if they notice any potential dangers in the workplace, they should not hesitate to report them.
#4
Light Display At Costco
#5
Fire Exit: Only Available Weekdays, 9 To 5. Plan Your Emergencies Accordingly
#6
A Lot Going On Here
OSHA reports that one in ten employees admits that they feel unsafe in their workplace, and less than a quarter feel “very safe.” Part of the reason for this may be because 18% of workers have never even had a safety drill, and only 60% feel like they’re actually prepared for an emergency situation.
Unfortunately, three quarters of employees say that their concerns are not always heard by their supervisors, and 9% complain that they’re completely ignored. When it comes to the OSHA standards that are most frequently violated, Fall Protection: General Requirements wins by a landslide. But rules about Hazard Communication, Control of Hazardous Energy, Ladders and Respiratory Protection are also commonly ignored.
#7
Pulled Over As Soon As The Left The Lot
Giles McArdell 14 hours ago
"But officer, I remembered to slap it and say 'that's not going anywhere'"
#8
Show Me The Confined Space Entry Permit
New hire got stuck trying to clean the proofer
#9
Always Use A Ladder When Working At Height
Breaking OSHA rules not only puts employees in danger, it can also be extremely costly for companies. Apparently, general violations can result in fines of $7,000. Meanwhile, serious violations might mean that a company gets hit with a $25,000 fine. And willful or repeat violations can cost businesses a whopping $70,000. Even if a company doesn’t care about their employees’ wellbeing (for some unknown reason), those fines should motivate them to make sure all rules are being followed to a T.
#10
It's Fine Until It's Not
Floeckchen 22 hours ago
right tools wrong handling. They should have at least anchored the platform somewhere
#11
A Quick Shower Before Going Home From Work
Bob Brooce 21 hours ago
Another code violation in most places, but if it's a sub-panel protected by a GFI it probably won't bite you even if you are dumb enough to touch it while showering. That said, he humidity won't be good for its longevity.
#12
What's Your Favorite Sign To Ignore?
According to Waldrons Solicitors, the most common workplace accidents to occur in the UK are slips, trips and falls. After that, falling objects and injuries associated with handling, lifting, or carrying objects come next. You might be surprised to hear that acts of violence even cause a significant amount of on-the-job injuries. Meanwhile, workers should be careful to also avoid repetitive strain injuries, exposure to loud noises, burns, exposure to hazardous substances, vehicle collisions, and cuts and lacerations.
#13
Cousin Wants Help Pulling His Transmission…
#14
Raising A 12 Foot 900lb Steel Beam 9 Feet High With Two Drywall Jacks Rated For 150lb
The jacks started folding in on themselves midway through but that didn’t stop our fearless leader from continuing on. Boss man returned both jacks after this saying they came damaged out of the box.
Max Robitzsch 20 hours ago
So basically, he's careless with people's lives, and he's a fraud. Great boss. One to trust.
#15
My Dad Sent Me This
Bob Brooce 21 hours ago
Major OSHA violation in the US, but the rocks make me think that's a sturdy matrix that's unlikely to collapse.
Now, you might be looking at the photos on this list and wondering why in the world anyone would take risks like these while working. But the explanation might be as simple as the same reason why any of us take risks in our daily lives. I know that I should chop, peel and grate vegetables slowly to avoid cutting myself. But at least twice a year, without fail, I’ll find myself rushing and slicing off a piece of my finger or nail. It can be difficult to resist the urge to be in a hurry.
#16
The Average Fleet Vehicle
#17
I Was So Baffled I Had To Get A Pic
Even the guy in front with the blower knows they’re wrong.
The worst part about it.. the white hat had a “safety first” sticky on his hat. I’ve done lots of utility safety training over my years and I can safely say that’s been on slides I’ve usually cringed at the end of.
I’d say this crew deserves dummies of the day.
#18
The Best Ladder Extenders
We also tend to forget how important safety is when we’ve done something a thousand times. It’s easy to become overconfident and assume that you know better than the rules. You might find yourself thinking, “I’ve been doing this for years; I could do it in my sleep!” But that’s when the universe humbles you, and accidents happen. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
#19
[uk] No Spotter, Outside School At Home Time
#20
Operator Confident In His Skills
#21
Shop Won't Buy Extension Cords, So I Sent Them This
Another issue that can lead to dangerous decisions in the workplace is when employees feel disengaged. If they don’t care about their work and are simply just trying to get through the day, they might not be present or aware of the risks involved in their work. It’s crucial for employers to make sure all of their workers have proper, thorough training. And if they notice that anyone’s starting to become complacent, they should address that issue before it’s too late.
#22
I'm So Confused
LakotaWolf (she/her) 20 hours ago
It seems pretty obvious to me? This door is not a fire exit, the fire exit is to the right (where the arrow is pointing) - as per the other paper's instructions "follow diversions" XD
#23
Local City Water Line Repair In Below Freezing Temps. Note The Grade A Pump Placement
UnclePanda 15 hours ago (edited)
It's a powerful metaphor for bureaucracy with strong undercurrents of systemic madness on display.
#24
I’m At A Loss For Words — And Limbs
Are you starting to appreciate your cushy office job after scrolling through these photos, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones that nearly gave you a heart attack, and let us know in the comments below what the most dangerous thing you’ve ever witnessed at work was. Then, if you’re looking for another list featuring photos that definitely include OSHA violations, check out this Bored Panda article next!
#25
Is This Ok?
#26
He Was Even Proud Of The Solution
#27
Went With The Less Expensive Lighting Contractor
#28
Who Needs A Lift Gate Switch? My Boss Has To Be The Cheapest Bastard Ever
Bob Brooce 21 hours ago
Assuming it runs on 12 volts you could stick your finger in it, but they wouldn't close the circuit.
#29
Came Across This Emergency Exit At The Supermarket
joann fielding 13 hours ago
Ok, yeah, that's bad, but check out the prices on the coke and pepsi!
#30
She Took Her Shoes Off Because "That Would Be Unhygienic"
LakotaWolf (she/her) 20 hours ago
I'm not sure if she gets bonus points or even more points taken away for wearing burger-themed socks at what appears to be a McDs XD
#31
Changing The Sign At My Local Whataburger
LakotaWolf (she/her) 20 hours ago
If ONLY there was a tool, perhaps on a long extensible pole, that was actually MADE for changing the letters on these marquee signs! Alas! If only! /s
#32
Good Place For A Nap
LakotaWolf (she/her) 20 hours ago
I've seen (horrific) videos of what happens when people fall into woodchippers and similar machinery. Like... bruh. Even if the machinery is currently turned off, DON'T trust that it'll STAY off/don't trust your co-workers to notice you're laying in what appears to be the INTAKE PORT(?) just in case THEY turn it back on!
#33
I Can Tell From The Outside That The Back Exit Of This Chick-Fil-A Is Blocked
#34
No Harness, 300ft Drop
#35
Heres A Lesson On Leaving A Man In A Trench Alone…… Me
LakotaWolf (she/her) 19 hours ago
OP's explanation from another of their posts on Reddit: "i got hurt at work last year really bad and dont feel like telling the whole story so the short explanation is a excavator bucket smushed me to the ground when i was leaning over. right femur snapped in half 4 pelvic fractures (2 on each pubic rami) SI [sacroiliac] joint fracture traumatic very deep perineal rip (bútt to scrótúm) very very very deep i had the trauma repair then femur fusion then tried to walk and couldn’t from back pain, so SI [sacroiliac] fusion then off to therapy. this was last year [2023] October."
#36
Somewhere In There Is Two Guys Cutting The Concrete With A Saw. No Masks, No Goggles
#37
Found A Suicide Cable
#38
How Safe Is This?
#40
Hmm Nothing Can Go Wrong Here
#41
My Father's Solution For Only Having One Jack Stand
Siege Rook 7 hours ago (edited)
Unless the vehicle is already so tall that I can fit under it TWICE before putting it up on them, I refuse to work under jack stands PERIOD, no matter how many of them there are. I have personally witnessed too many accidents with them (including some injuries, thankfully none serious), and heard about too many more, to ever feel comfortable with them. Heck, I don't like 2-post lifts, either - I've seen a few cars come off of those, too. Always made me wish we had some kind of secondary support to put in place, just in case. No way in hell I'd work under this kind of redneck shade-tree mechanic BS.
#42
Men On This Roof With Harnesses, But The Harnesses Aren't Actually Attached To Anything
Börje Strömming 15 hours ago (edited)
And connecting it to whatever you can find isn’t a viable option either, it should be points of connection especially made for the purpose of safety lines. Had that discussion with my teamleader who agrees but still doesnt tell his superiors off. ”Ah well what can you do” - Not do the job ffs!
#43
5th Floor, Can Open The Window, Bottom Is 2ft High
#44
So I Work At A Day Surgery Center And The New Materials Manager Orders Way Too Many Tanks Now
I don’t think this is safe and there’s no room to move. Of course it’s not their “problem” since they don’t change the tanks. Am I wrong?
UnclePanda 14 hours ago (edited)
It depends on what's in the tanks but there's a general lack of chains securing them from falling over. That one chain is too loose to really count. It's more like a trip hazard for the front tank.
#45
Gotta Love Colin Furze Pioneering New Safety Standards On The Internet
MotorcycleDoggo 46 minutes ago
This is still orders of magnitude safer than some of his creations.
#46
Saw This In The Netherlands Visiting Some Windmills
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Stardust she/her 11 hours ago
I enjoyed drawing some free body diagrams for the ladders to see how catastrophic the results could be
Stardust she/her 11 hours ago
I enjoyed drawing some free body diagrams for the ladders to see how catastrophic the results could be
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