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Workplace safety protocols exist for a reason. Yet, despite the potentially catastrophic outcomes of failing to comply, many employees still show complete disregard for these regulations.
The photos you’ll see are just some examples of such disappointing behavior. We’ve collected photos from all over the internet showing workers throwing caution to the wind in the worst ways possible. Some deemed it unnecessary to wear safety glasses, while others seemed to dismiss the existence of gravity.
Many of these images could make you shake your head in disappointment, but they can also remind you what not to emulate.
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#1
Work Place Safety Legend
Robert Beveridge 11 months ago
Here's a guy who has somehow never seen that timeless classic of the silver screen Woodchipper Massacre...
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#2
In About 2 Seconds He Is About To See How Fast He Can Turn Off That Chainsaw
Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein 11 months ago
Who is standing by and taking the photo? They deserve a slap too.
#3
Anyone See Any Safety Issue?
Disregarding safety protocols is likely why workplace injuries are commonplace in the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 2.6 million nonfatal work-related injuries in 2023.
While it showed an 8.4 percent decrease from 2022, these are still significant numbers that could be avoided.
#4
Sometimes When It Looks Stupid But Works, Its Still Stupid
#5
"I've Done It A Million Times. This Is Totally Safe." - My Coworker
#6
No Such Thing As ‘Health And Safety’ In Myanmar - This Dude’s Repairing An Air Conditioner On The 22nd Floor. As You Do
Based on these images, such irresponsible actions appear to happen often in workplaces that involve operating heavy machinery. According to further statistics from the US Department of Labor, more than 300,000 workplace injuries in 2023 occurred in the manufacturing sector, which is second to the healthcare industry.
The transportation and warehousing industry has the fourth highest cases, with over 200,000, while the construction sector has slightly over 150,000.
#7
Nah, Safety Glasses Are Not Necessary
Lady Lestrange 11 months ago
What's with people not wearing a protective gear? Well, the squinting doesn't work.
#8
The Neighbor’s Movers Couldn’t Get The Dresser Down The Stairs
Bob Brooce 11 months ago
I really want to know if there's an after picture to go with this before picture. With a suitable anchor inside I could lower a 1000 pound dresser without dropping it if there was also a strap around the bottom. Pivoting it over the sill and not messing up the siding might be a challenge. And I have no idea what the plan for the ladder (that's at the wrong angle) is for.
#9
Clamped Broken Railing For Bonus
According to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, employees ignore safety protocols for several reasons, including time constraints caused by tight deadlines. Workers often focus too much on completing tasks and fail to comply with basic safety measures.
Another common reason is overconfidence. Some employees become highly comfortable with their roles, undermining safety regulations or overinflating their skill levels. This leads to taking shortcuts, which puts employees at risk of injury and compromises the output.
#10
Osha Intensifies
Pink kitty 11 months ago (edited)
I've used a similar compactor before. They have chains at the back which raise the bale to make it drop on the pallet. Sometimes they fall off the hook and need to be rehooked to get the bale out. The front door needs to be locked closed and the top door needs to connect to the front door or the 'floor' inside the top that crushes the cardboard won't go down.
#11
Something Tells Me This Breaks A Few Safety Regulations
#12
Safety Always First
Pink kitty 11 months ago
How is this possible?? Is it tied to the wires? The guy below seems to be holding the ladder steady rather than supporting it
The US Department of Labor has recommended ensuring workplace safety and preventing injury incidents. In its published hazard prevention and control guidelines, the agency urges employers to develop a control plan and mandate and impose protocols.
At the same time, employers are encouraged to evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations regularly to determine whether they are still effective.
#13
Above A 4 Lane Road, Hand Grip Only, No Tether For Him Or His Tools
Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost 11 months ago
But there's a big orange cone and he's wearing a safety vest!
#14
Don't Worry, Got The Safety Squints On, Boss
#15
Too Hot For Safety
We’d also like to hear from you, our readers. If you work in any of these industries, which safety regulations are often violated? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
#16
First Day Working The Port. Safety Wants To Talk To Me, Probably To Tell Me How Good Of A Job I’m Doing
#17
Workers On A Scissor Lift Floating In A Swimming Pool
#18
Screw It - That's Close Enough
#19
Safety Gloves -Check!
Norm Gilmore 11 months ago
It's not the clearest as it's only a tiny part of the screen grab but this is from my dashcam. A legitimate form of transport it seems :-) Mattress-6...fb06cb.jpg 
#20
Flip Flops And Leaning Over The Edge Of Roof To Get A Better Angle
#21
Looks Safe
#22
What’s Wrong With This Photo?
#23
I'm Pretty Sure This Is A Safety Violation
#24
Maybe Maybe
James Peek 11 months ago
Is this the answer to how many idiots it takes to change a light bulb?!?
#25
“Wear Ppe” To Me When I Was A Kid. “I Don’t Need Protection “ My Dad Now
#26
Ever Seen Water Bottles Used As Rebar Safety Caps? Taken At A Walmart In Miami, Fl
Make no mistake, they even spray painted them orange for extra visibility.
Bob Brooce 11 months ago
I see this all the time when people use rebar as a giant tent stake. It's perfectly good if you hit if with your shin, but I'd hate to fall on it.
#27
Installing An Air-Conditioning Unit
#28
Counter-Balance Solved
#29
Don't Worry, It's Secured By Straps!
#30
What Better Safety Than Being In His Arms?
#31
Osha Intensifies
#32
Thanks Guys!
#33
That's What Friends Are For!
#34
My Friend Got Sent Home From Work Today For A Safety Violation And Sent Me This Photo
#35
This Was Done At My Work Less Than 20 Mins After A "Safety Meeting" All I Can Say Is Genius!
#36
Welcome To Northern Ontario, Where Health And Safety Is Still In The 1970s. (Not My Company)
#37
I Have No Words
#38
This Was Hard To Watch
#39
My GF Said To Post Here. We Were Short And Had To Improvise
Robert Beveridge 11 months ago
Not short any more... about five feet too tall from the looks of it...
#40
Wearing Safety Harness, But Not Tied To Anything (Mexico)
#41
Installing Solar Panels. One Guy Has A Harness But Isn't Tied Off, The Other Has No Harness. The Rope Is For Attaching To The Panels, But Is So Long That The Panel Would Hit The Ground
#42
Ingenuity Or Ludicrous?
Robert Beveridge 11 months ago
Nah, no way this goes wrong. Haven't any of you geniuses ever seen Staplerfahrer Klaus?
#43
Can’t Fix Stupid
#44
An R/Osha Classic Straight Out Of My Hometown
Robert Beveridge 11 months ago
Harold Lauder painting a sign on a barn, Ogunquit, ME, June 1990 (colorized)
#45
This.
#46
If It Works It's Not Stupid!
Danish Susanne 11 months ago
In fact I find it really smart, provided he can lock the wheels when the animals are where they should be.
#47
Me: “Safety Regulations Say No Ladders On This Job Site, You Have To Work Of Scaffolding”. My Crew:
Bob Brooce 11 months ago
The only thing wrong with this is some idiot telling him he has to use scaffolding to stand 40 above the ground.
#48
Today, I Was The Idiot
#49
A Safety Refresher Might Be Necessary
#50
"All Of This Product Was Broken When We Received It"
#51
Workplace Safety 101
Bob Brooce 11 months ago
I'd use something a lot better than a helper to anchor the bottom, but the chances it will slide out are awfully close to zero. If he's wearing knee pads the consequences are also awfully low.
#52
Who Needs A Ladder
Robert Beveridge 11 months ago
No no no, this is a duct tape application, not a WD40 application
#53
Saw From The Office Window Of The Safety Oriented Construction Company I’m Working For. This Is Some Nonunion Company Putting Up A New Building Next Door. I’m A Piledriver By Trade And I Thought This Guy Is An Idiot. How Many Problems Do You See With This?
#54
I'm Sure It's Safe, I Just Think There Might Be A Better Way
#55
Always Remember, Kids, Safety First!
michael reid 11 months ago
If you've ever seen steel fixers walking around on top of a 50m high empty frame with no harness or hard hats you'll know this is pretty normal for those guys
#56
I Had No Idea
Put my own septic tank in last summer, seeing all these trench posts has got me feeling like such an idiot. Does this look as stupid as all the others? Or less stupid because less deep? Please, rate my dumbness.
#57
How We Install Conduit In My Shop (Note The Racks Of Scrap Metal Underneath)
#58
Working 11 Floors High On Bamboo Scaffolding And None Of Them Have Their Safety Line Connected
#59
Workers At Prague Airport Having Fun
#60
UK Idiots
#61
We Must Quickly Mount The Signpost Pointing In The Direction Of The Hospital
#64
Three Points Of Contact
#66
Looks Safe To Me
#67
If It’s Stupid And It Works…
Johnnynatfan 11 months ago
I dont see anything wrong with this. Who knows where they are? Maybe they dont have access to a funnel and they had to improvise.
#70
Oh Good, At Least He Has A Safety Line
#71
This Seem Super Safe
#72
Is This Safe?
#73
Is This Safe
#74
Is This Safe?
#75
"I'm Going To Go To The Shop And Get The 10ft Ladder." "Nah, Man. Waste Of Time. I Got It."
#76
Looks Safe To Me, It's Not 'That' High
Norm Gilmore 11 months ago
Trouble is it's the broken pelvis (or worse). A plumber friend of mine is hobbling around to this day because he still has issues from a shattered pelvis from just this scenario..
#77
Brave Sir... Brave
Multa Nocte 11 months ago
Because what could possibly go wrong when you're wearing high vis gear and a helmet?
#78
Safely Planting A Palm Tree
#79
Break Time
#80
Gotta Get The Job Done
#81
Just Your Everyday Dirt-Coffin. Argue All You Want, This Is Not Legal/Safe
#82
If It's Stupid And It Works, It Ain't Stupid
#84
A Worker Who Has Short Legs In Baskin Robbins
#85
Couldn’t See The Safety Line Until I Got Closer
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Black Cat 11 months ago
Is it a coincidence that the dumbest people in society are doing the most dangerous jobs?
Mason Kronol 11 months ago
OSHA is a joke. They don’t get involved until someone dies or is maimed. Same with Fire department inspections. So many codes overlooked. My former boss contacted OSHA shortly before I did and was ignored. I got fired. The fire department had come in and I pointed out some violations and they hurried up and left. The owners were huge donators to the fire, police, etc… The paperwork to file was crazy. But it got fixed eventually.
Mike F 11 months ago
That's not true, they did an inspection in the plant I worked in an stayed 3 1/2 days. He wrote so many violations that it nearly bankrupted the company. TBF, he found things to write up that had been wrong since the 1930s, but hey, better late than never, right?
Load More Replies... Black Cat 11 months ago
Is it a coincidence that the dumbest people in society are doing the most dangerous jobs?
Mason Kronol 11 months ago
OSHA is a joke. They don’t get involved until someone dies or is maimed. Same with Fire department inspections. So many codes overlooked. My former boss contacted OSHA shortly before I did and was ignored. I got fired. The fire department had come in and I pointed out some violations and they hurried up and left. The owners were huge donators to the fire, police, etc… The paperwork to file was crazy. But it got fixed eventually.
Mike F 11 months ago
That's not true, they did an inspection in the plant I worked in an stayed 3 1/2 days. He wrote so many violations that it nearly bankrupted the company. TBF, he found things to write up that had been wrong since the 1930s, but hey, better late than never, right?
Load More Replies...
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