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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.

#1

Work Place Safety Legend

Work Place Safety Legend

reddit.com Report

Robert Beveridge
Community Member
1 year 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

    In About 2 Seconds He Is About To See How Fast He Can Turn Off That Chainsaw

    imgur.com Report

    Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Who is standing by and taking the photo? They deserve a slap too.

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    #3

    Anyone See Any Safety Issue?

    Anyone See Any Safety Issue?

    itsjustchad Report

    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Major safety issue. There' snot a hard hat in sight.

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    #4

    Sometimes When It Looks Stupid But Works, Its Still Stupid

    Sometimes When It Looks Stupid But Works, Its Still Stupid

    cornerzcan Report

    Norm Gilmore
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    The Darwin Award siren is screaming with this one..

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    #5

    "I've Done It A Million Times. This Is Totally Safe." - My Coworker

    "I've Done It A Million Times. This Is Totally Safe." - My Coworker

    robabl Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I've seen enough Merrie Melodies to know how this turns out

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    #6

    No Such Thing As ‘Health And Safety’ In Myanmar - This Dude’s Repairing An Air Conditioner On The 22nd Floor. As You Do

    No Such Thing As ‘Health And Safety’ In Myanmar - This Dude’s Repairing An Air Conditioner On The 22nd Floor. As You Do

    wontfindloveinahole Report

    ZuriLovesYou
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Not even a pair of shoes. Damn.

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    #7

    Nah, Safety Glasses Are Not Necessary

    Nah, Safety Glasses Are Not Necessary

    KotAufmBrot Report

    Lady Lestrange
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    What's with people not wearing a protective gear? Well, the squinting doesn't work.

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    #8

    The Neighbor’s Movers Couldn’t Get The Dresser Down The Stairs

    The Neighbor’s Movers Couldn’t Get The Dresser Down The Stairs

    HonestlyCrum Report

    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 year 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.

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    #9

    Clamped Broken Railing For Bonus

    Clamped Broken Railing For Bonus

    A_Bridgeburner Report

    Abel
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    The level tool is the icing of the cake.

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    #10

    Osha Intensifies

    Osha Intensifies

    Omnijones777 Report

    Pink kitty
    Community Member
    1 year 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.

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    #11

    Something Tells Me This Breaks A Few Safety Regulations

    Something Tells Me This Breaks A Few Safety Regulations

    zoalcoalt Report

    Kat
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Spotted it right away. The guy on the left is smoking on a construction site!

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    #12

    Safety Always First

    Safety Always First

    touchfeel Report

    Pink kitty
    Community Member
    1 year 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

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    #13

    Above A 4 Lane Road, Hand Grip Only, No Tether For Him Or His Tools

    Above A 4 Lane Road, Hand Grip Only, No Tether For Him Or His Tools

    beautify Report

    Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    But there's a big orange cone and he's wearing a safety vest!

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    #14

    Don't Worry, Got The Safety Squints On, Boss

    Don't Worry, Got The Safety Squints On, Boss

    cacaogirl Report

    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This person has got to be blind by now between the light damage and metal flames flying everywhere. When my husband was welding he could be wearing full protection and some metal had gotten into his beard before. Not frequently, but those sparks have a mind of their own.

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    #15

    Too Hot For Safety

    Too Hot For Safety

    bp1108 Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    This will end in tears.

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    First Day Working The Port. Safety Wants To Talk To Me, Probably To Tell Me How Good Of A Job I’m Doing

    First Day Working The Port. Safety Wants To Talk To Me, Probably To Tell Me How Good Of A Job I’m Doing

    Mickey10199 Report

    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    AND IT’S EVERGREEN! 🤣🤣🤣 MV5BMDZmYW...X1000_.jpg MV5BMDZmYWRjNGUtMDQ4Ni00NWRkLTkzOGQtN2RhMzQ0OWMzN2Y0XkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg

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    #17

    Workers On A Scissor Lift Floating In A Swimming Pool

    Workers On A Scissor Lift Floating In A Swimming Pool

    captain96 Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Imagine trundling to the swim-up bar in this beast

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    #18

    Screw It - That's Close Enough

    Screw It - That's Close Enough

    jaykirsch Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    Was this for their annual safety poster?

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    #19

    Safety Gloves -Check!

    Safety Gloves -Check!

    reddit.com Report

    Norm Gilmore
    Community Member
    1 year 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 Mattress-6777a2bfb06cb.jpg

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    #20

    Flip Flops And Leaning Over The Edge Of Roof To Get A Better Angle

    Flip Flops And Leaning Over The Edge Of Roof To Get A Better Angle

    CrispyKollosus Report

    Paul C.
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Safety Flip Flops!

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    #21

    Looks Safe

    Looks Safe

    Munoz555 Report

    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    What is he trying to do, beside commit suicide?

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    #22

    What’s Wrong With This Photo?

    What’s Wrong With This Photo?

    jcholder Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Nothing boss, everything looks copacetic

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    #23

    I'm Pretty Sure This Is A Safety Violation

    I'm Pretty Sure This Is A Safety Violation

    AmmianusMarcellinus Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    Is that Slender Man bent over?

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    #24

    Maybe Maybe

    Maybe Maybe

    Consistent-Kitchen Report

    James Peek
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Is this the answer to how many idiots it takes to change a light bulb?!?

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    #25

    “Wear Ppe” To Me When I Was A Kid. “I Don’t Need Protection “ My Dad Now

    “Wear Ppe” To Me When I Was A Kid. “I Don’t Need Protection “ My Dad Now

    silver_dollarz Report

    Abel
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    He wears a protective hat. Where is the problem? 🤷‍♂️

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    #26

    Ever Seen Water Bottles Used As Rebar Safety Caps? Taken At A Walmart In Miami, Fl

    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.

    Sixty4Fairlane Report

    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 year 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.

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    #27

    Installing An Air-Conditioning Unit

    Installing An Air-Conditioning Unit

    9999monkeys Report

    Hassel Davidhoff
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Oh hell no!

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    #28

    Counter-Balance Solved

    Counter-Balance Solved

    therazorstepping Report

    BossyCloud
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    The thumbs up is a nice touch 👍🏼

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    #29

    Don't Worry, It's Secured By Straps!

    Don't Worry, It's Secured By Straps!

    dwaaam Report

    King Of Birbz
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    The Little Ladder that Could

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    #30

    What Better Safety Than Being In His Arms?

    What Better Safety Than Being In His Arms?

    hadapurpura Report

    Undercover
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Leo and Kate have grown old and scruffy, too

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    #31

    Osha Intensifies

    Osha Intensifies

    Omnijones777 Report

    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    They can't be serious.

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    #32

    Thanks Guys!

    Thanks Guys!

    tbonetaylor Report

    DowntownStevieB
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    A literal 'hope and a prayer'

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    #33

    That's What Friends Are For!

    That's What Friends Are For!

    Im_probably_at_work Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Keep smilin. Keep shinin.

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    #34

    My Friend Got Sent Home From Work Today For A Safety Violation And Sent Me This Photo

    My Friend Got Sent Home From Work Today For A Safety Violation And Sent Me This Photo

    _boomknife_ Report

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Well, good. At least someone on this list was reprimanded for their carelessness.

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    #35

    This Was Done At My Work Less Than 20 Mins After A "Safety Meeting" All I Can Say Is Genius!

    This Was Done At My Work Less Than 20 Mins After A "Safety Meeting" All I Can Say Is Genius!

    reddit.com Report

    Norm Gilmore
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Honestly not the worse we've seen on this thread :-)

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    #36

    Welcome To Northern Ontario, Where Health And Safety Is Still In The 1970s. (Not My Company)

    Welcome To Northern Ontario, Where Health And Safety Is Still In The 1970s. (Not My Company)

    ExtremePackage Report

    Panda Panda Bo Banda
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Not an expert. Is it the shorts?

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    #37

    I Have No Words

    I Have No Words

    shittyrivets Report

    The Dave
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I do. To quote the great Red Foreman, “d-u-m-b-a-s-s!!”

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    #38

    This Was Hard To Watch

    This Was Hard To Watch

    DylanFTW_ Report

    Rick Funk
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    That's why you hire young apprentices for this kind of job.

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    #39

    My GF Said To Post Here. We Were Short And Had To Improvise

    My GF Said To Post Here. We Were Short And Had To Improvise

    liamsnorthstar Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Not short any more... about five feet too tall from the looks of it...

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    #40

    Wearing Safety Harness, But Not Tied To Anything (Mexico)

    Wearing Safety Harness, But Not Tied To Anything (Mexico)

    Epistatious Report

    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    My. God.

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    #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

    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

    s1gnalZer0 Report

    les
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    the rope is for getting the panels up onto the roof. nobody uses rope to do the final fixing down.

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    #42

    Ingenuity Or Ludicrous?

    Ingenuity Or Ludicrous?

    Quiet_Instruction290 Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Nah, no way this goes wrong. Haven't any of you geniuses ever seen Staplerfahrer Klaus?

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    #43

    Can’t Fix Stupid

    Can’t Fix Stupid

    jkell1990 Report

    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    YOU'RE ON A FLIPPIN SCISSOR LIFT AND DOING THAT?! I'm gonna have an aneurysm from this article!

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    #44

    An R/Osha Classic Straight Out Of My Hometown

    An R/Osha Classic Straight Out Of My Hometown

    Sam-TheSpaceMan Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Harold Lauder painting a sign on a barn, Ogunquit, ME, June 1990 (colorized)

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    #45

    This.

    This.

    imgur.com Report

    Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    If one goes, they all go.

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    #46

    If It Works It's Not Stupid!

    If It Works It's Not Stupid!

    personathethird Report

    Danish Susanne
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    In fact I find it really smart, provided he can lock the wheels when the animals are where they should be.

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    #47

    Me: “Safety Regulations Say No Ladders On This Job Site, You Have To Work Of Scaffolding”. My Crew:

    Me: “Safety Regulations Say No Ladders On This Job Site, You Have To Work Of Scaffolding”. My Crew:

    johnieringo Report

    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 year 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

    Today, I Was The Idiot

    frowningowl Report

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    Good that you know it, anyway

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    #49

    A Safety Refresher Might Be Necessary

    A Safety Refresher Might Be Necessary

    merk35802 Report

    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Naw he's got his hi-vis on. He good /s

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    #50

    "All Of This Product Was Broken When We Received It"

    "All Of This Product Was Broken When We Received It"

    Seraphiem93 Report

    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    And they accepted delivery?!

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    #51

    Workplace Safety 101

    Workplace Safety 101

    reddit.com Report

    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 year 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

    Who Needs A Ladder

    Humble-Wonder-4288 Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    No no no, this is a duct tape application, not a WD40 application

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    #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?

    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?

    reddit.com Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Eye and hearing PPE just to start.

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    #54

    I'm Sure It's Safe, I Just Think There Might Be A Better Way

    I'm Sure It's Safe, I Just Think There Might Be A Better Way

    5_Frog_Margin Report

    Ben Kay
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I am not too sure that it's safe to be honest

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    #55

    Always Remember, Kids, Safety First!

    Always Remember, Kids, Safety First!

    caxlypxso Report

    michael reid
    Community Member
    1 year 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

    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.

    Outside-Swan-5957 Report

    EmJay
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    You need a bigger shovel.

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    #57

    How We Install Conduit In My Shop (Note The Racks Of Scrap Metal Underneath)

    How We Install Conduit In My Shop (Note The Racks Of Scrap Metal Underneath)

    deadfishy12 Report

    tori Ohno
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Reverse guillotine!

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    #58

    Working 11 Floors High On Bamboo Scaffolding And None Of Them Have Their Safety Line Connected

    Working 11 Floors High On Bamboo Scaffolding And None Of Them Have Their Safety Line Connected

    Death_Ma5ter Report

    JoNo
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Nothing wrong with bamboo scaffolding per se. It is used extensively in across Asian, even on high-rise buildings. This problem is about how it's being installed, rather than that bamboo is being utilised.

    #59

    Workers At Prague Airport Having Fun

    Workers At Prague Airport Having Fun

    malickyberanek Report

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Again, fine, this is just employees goofing around

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    #60

    UK Idiots

    UK Idiots

    Harezy304 Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    I'm cringing just seeing this.

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    #61

    We Must Quickly Mount The Signpost Pointing In The Direction Of The Hospital

    We Must Quickly Mount The Signpost Pointing In The Direction Of The Hospital

    KotAufmBrot Report

    Phillip Moderow
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Closer to genius than foolius.

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    #62

    It's Ok To Stand On The Top Of The Ladder As Long As It's Set Up On A Trailer

    It's Ok To Stand On The Top Of The Ladder As Long As It's Set Up On A Trailer

    thomas_vanstavern Report

    #63

    Safety First In Thailand

    Safety First In Thailand

    chrondor87 Report

    #64

    Three Points Of Contact

    Three Points Of Contact

    SgtKetchup Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I think this guy needs to do the splits constantly to keep his pants up. I bet it's fun to watch him walk around like that

    #65

    It’s Only One Story High, So No Safety Rules Apply

    It’s Only One Story High, So No Safety Rules Apply

    FendersAreGreat Report

    #66

    Looks Safe To Me

    Looks Safe To Me

    xLunatiic Report

    Daniel Alexander
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Okay, Joker from Batman Arkham Asylum.

    #67

    If It’s Stupid And It Works…

    If It’s Stupid And It Works…

    bolivar-shagnasty Report

    Johnnynatfan
    Community Member
    1 year 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.

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    #68

    This Guy Doing Tile Repair On My Neighbor's House. No Harness, No Problem!

    This Guy Doing Tile Repair On My Neighbor's House. No Harness, No Problem!

    MeAgainstTheWorld666 Report

    #69

    This Seems Safe

    This Seems Safe

    styckx Report

    #70

    Oh Good, At Least He Has A Safety Line

    Oh Good, At Least He Has A Safety Line

    reddit.com Report

    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Wow

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    #71

    This Seem Super Safe

    This Seem Super Safe

    zacklmaker1 Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    RELEASE THE KRAKEN!

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    #72

    Is This Safe?

    Is This Safe?

    norsvast Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    For the guy in red and black it is.

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    #73

    Is This Safe

    Is This Safe

    r-d-p-2 Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    If he wants to be buried it's perfect.

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    #74

    Is This Safe?

    Is This Safe?

    Coolace34715 Report

    Johnnynatfan
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Completely normal. He is tied off. This is how it is done.

    #75

    "I'm Going To Go To The Shop And Get The 10ft Ladder." "Nah, Man. Waste Of Time. I Got It."

    "I'm Going To Go To The Shop And Get The 10ft Ladder." "Nah, Man. Waste Of Time. I Got It."

    spankytheseahorse Report

    #76

    Looks Safe To Me, It's Not 'That' High

    Looks Safe To Me, It's Not 'That' High

    -Dastardly- Report

    Norm Gilmore
    Community Member
    1 year 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..

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    #77

    Brave Sir... Brave

    Brave Sir... Brave

    reddit.com Report

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago

    Because what could possibly go wrong when you're wearing high vis gear and a helmet?

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    #78

    Safely Planting A Palm Tree

    Safely Planting A Palm Tree

    sethwolfson Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Son to be whipping him in his face, and we have a 🤦‍♂️

    #79

    Break Time

    Break Time

    _tweebish Report

    Johnnynatfan
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    If he is the operator then who cares?

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    #80

    Gotta Get The Job Done

    Gotta Get The Job Done

    K___A___D___E Report

    michael reid
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    What's the issue here?

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    #81

    Just Your Everyday Dirt-Coffin. Argue All You Want, This Is Not Legal/Safe

    Just Your Everyday Dirt-Coffin. Argue All You Want, This Is Not Legal/Safe

    BrianWantsTruth Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    There is no mound to slide over him and if the walls do cave there is no chance he would be totally buried its not deep enough

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    #82

    If It's Stupid And It Works, It Ain't Stupid

    If It's Stupid And It Works, It Ain't Stupid

    jelly_bean_gangbang Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Just shade from the sun?

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    #83

    Average Safe Gear

    Average Safe Gear

    CalangoMecanico Report

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    He's visible

    #84

    A Worker Who Has Short Legs In Baskin Robbins

    A Worker Who Has Short Legs In Baskin Robbins

    heun3344 Report

    Deborah
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Believe me, when you're short, sometimes you just do what you need to. I'm 4'10", and struggle with a lot of things.

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    #85

    Couldn’t See The Safety Line Until I Got Closer

    Couldn’t See The Safety Line Until I Got Closer

    impeesa75 Report

    Bookworm
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    So not nearly as unsafe as it looks