45 Social Media Users Share The Worst And Dumbest Work Safety Mistakes They've Ever Seen
Choosing to trust your gut that nothing could go wrong doesn’t mean that things can’t go wrong.
Safety first is something everyone should take into account, no matter what they’re doing. Your safety is your paramount priority before anything else, as prevention is certainly better than cure.
However, there are times when you will still see people who decide to throw caution to the wind and believe in their own superpowers. No matter what position you hold, every company has specific work and safety rules that every employee must adhere to without fail.
Employers are accountable for adhering to health and safety laws, ensuring that no employee suffers harm while performing their job duties, which may also qualify them for compensation. However, some individuals choose to take a chance and explore what happens if they disregard what they know about workplace safety.
Their safety violation cases often end up in the infamous section of Reddit known as "OSHA," as anyone could have predicted.
The community was created in 2013, and its slogan serves as a constant reminder to put safety first—something that the pictures presented here completely lack. There are so many instances here that will make you wonder what these people were thinking in the first place.
Scroll down to see some of the weirdest posts shared on the OSHA subreddit page.
1. Artif Anchor
Milo_from_trees2. Captain Ladder Has Arrived
zoalcoalt3. Safety Suggestions Are Overrated; Guts And Sheer Will Suffice
zoalcoalt
Understanding Safety Culture in the Workplace
Workplace safety is deeply rooted in organizational psychology, which studies how individuals behave within group settings.
Dr. Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, where employees feel safe to take risks, including speaking up about unsafe practices.
When employees perceive their environment as supportive, they're more likely to report potential hazards, leading to a safer workplace overall.
4. Just A Small Jump And It'll Move Again; Nothing To Worry About
Same_Ad4736
5. Stairway To Heaven
alwaysbeclimbing
6. I'm On It, Boss
chrisaed
Research indicates that negligence in workplace safety often stems from a culture that prioritizes productivity over safety.
According to the Journal of Safety Research, workplaces that foster open communication about safety concerns significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Thus, organizations should implement regular training sessions that encourage dialogue about safety practices.
7. Padlocked Fire Exit During Office Renovation
HorseWithNoUsername1
8. If It Gets Wet, You Might Have To Buy A New One
reriasv
9. Just A Man On A Stack Of Pallets Raised By A Forklift Changing The Bulb On A Street Light
PMmeYourNoodz
Behavioral Insights into Workplace Accidents
Many of the worst safety mistakes arise from cognitive biases like optimism bias, where individuals underestimate the potential for accidents.
Dr. David Shanks, a cognitive psychologist, notes that this bias can lead to complacency, where employees believe, 'It won't happen to me.'
Training that addresses these biases can help cultivate a more proactive attitude towards safety in the workplace.
10. A Signboard For The Blind Next To Bare Wire
qareti
11. Something Tells Me Y'all Might Appreciate The Acid Watering Can At My Work
NightmareChameleon
12. Fixing An AC Compressor On A Level 28 Ledge
mijabari
13. Working Safely
riley4617
14. Interesting
NadaMas333
15. If Only There Was Another Way To Get Up There
zoalcoalt
16. Someone Complained About Contractors Leaving A Hole Exposed Without Any Barriers; This Was Their Solution
OctagonCosplay
17. This Is Safe, Right?
Golden_Frog626
18. Living On The Edge
NJhomebrew
19. 3 Persons = 6 Feet; 6 Feet < 50 Feet. Looks Safe To Me
kana0011
20. Wanna Go To The Hospital? Nah, I’m Good
Alianaed
TheUnluckyBard
22. Does The Operator Get Hazard Pay?
ExecutiveChef1969
23. No Expert, But This Doesn't Look Safe
hamboneANDskillet
24. Definition Of Safety Issues At My Work
Potential_spam124
25. I Don't Think This Is A Proper Use Of A Forklift
j0m1n1n
26. At Least They Give You A Warning; Seen At A Boot Retailer
wene324
27. Now I Know Why They Say These 6’ Ladders Are So Dangerous
d1lsn1ck
28. At Least They’re Wearing High-Vis Gear; Just Don’t Look Down
PlayStationPepe
29. This Space Heater Is Definitely Not Causing Any Problems
OneBoxOfKleenexAway
30. Introducing Donkey-Kong-Arcade-Level Scaffolding
Lvl100Waffle
31. Labor Foreman Didn’t Feel Like Moving The Lift, So This Is How He Wants Us To Unload
Averyjkl
32. He Told Me, “The Boss Said This Is How We Always Do It”
AshenLibra
33. "What Are You Looking At!?!?!"
5_Frog_Margin
34. At Least The Load Was Secure For When The Truck Bed Completely Detaches
ohituna
35. The Truck Was Driving For Maximum Power Washing Efficiency
I_HATE_PIKEYS
36. I’m Not Sure How Many Times I Have Told Coworkers This: Never Wear Gloves Near A Spindle Or A Belt
Inevitable_Lawyer_19
37. Cigarettes And Gasoline
Monkey77778
38. For Rent: $1500/Month
Cronos848
39. That Should Do It
qareti
40. My Dad's Colleague Checking His Phone On The New Staircases They Built
Windshield11
41. Wish I Could See The 'Safe' Way They Pulled It Down
BallsOutKrunked
42. If Your Electric Box Doesn’t Have A Cover, Just Use A Cardboard Box
nick-jagger
43. Looks Good, Boss
CREAM__CORN
44. Had New Gutters Installed; Came Home To This. Informed Them Not To Do That While On My Property And Sent Photo To Company
dvlpr404
45. Sorry, Boss, The Cockpit Door Wouldn’t Open
AlexAKAStubby
Our safety should be important to us no matter what. Choosing to trust your gut that nothing could go wrong doesn’t mean that things can’t go wrong.
Which of these pictures left you totally stunned at their audacity? Drop your replies in the comments section below and share this post with someone else today.
Psychological Analysis
This collection of workplace safety mistakes highlights a critical gap in communication and training within organizations.
Often, employees' decisions are influenced by a combination of cognitive biases and the prevailing workplace culture, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive safety training and support systems.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
Ultimately, addressing workplace safety requires a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and organizational culture.
As psychologists suggest, creating a culture of safety involves not just policies but fostering an environment where employees feel empowered to prioritize safety.
