35 People Share Workplace Safety Fails That Will Make You Wonder About Safety Officers’ Sanity
Safety first, people!
Workplace safety fails have a way of turning everyday jobs into instant horror stories. One bad shortcut, one ignored warning, and suddenly everyone is staring at a setup that should never have made it past common sense.
These Reddit posts from r/OSHA show workers, bystanders, and commenters reacting to everything from blocked exits to makeshift fixes that look more dangerous than the problem itself. The photos are funny for a second, then they get a lot less funny when you realize someone actually had to work around them.
Here are 35 of the wildest examples, and they are a reminder that some people really do treat safety rules like optional suggestions.
1. “A buddy of mine who was born completely deaf in one ear hit the PPE lottery today”
PGids2. “Call to locate the underground power lines? Nah, you don’t need to do that…”
dacsmema3. “Gonna have to bring a ruler to the bathroom”
aondneaa
The importance of fostering a robust safety culture cannot be overstated, especially in light of the alarming anecdotes shared in the article about workplace safety fails. These stories serve as a stark reminder that safety rules, often dismissed as bureaucratic red tape, are essential for preventing accidents.
When employees are encouraged to voice their safety concerns, the workplace transforms into a proactive environment where risks are actively managed. This empowerment not only safeguards individual workers but also contributes to greater organizational efficiency and boosts morale.
4. “Corporate says tires are too expensive, and all of our delivery vans are just fine”
Yggdrasil5218
5. We didn't start the fire...
ChobaniTheSecond
6. “Totally passes the inspection”
NuckChorris81
Studies in industrial psychology indicate that a lack of communication regarding safety can lead to increased incidents and lower employee morale.
Creating an environment where employees feel safe to voice concerns is essential for fostering a culture of safety.
7. “It’s like a Lock Out tag, just different”
“For the record, that means double, ‘Do not bother,’ in Spanish”
brobosky
8. “A forklift with zero safety features. No clue how old this thing is; couldn’t find a data plate.”
ForkliftUnfucker
9. “How many men does it take to screw in a lightbulb?”
neotokyo2099
Encouraging Safety Reporting
To cultivate a safety-first mindset, organizations can implement training programs that encourage employees to report hazards without fear of repercussions.
This aligns with the principles of positive reinforcement, where recognizing and rewarding safe behavior can motivate others to follow suit.
Additionally, regular safety audits and open forums for discussion can promote transparency and trust within teams.
10. “Seems safe enough”
Chaps_Jr
11. “My buddy sent this to me. I’m at a loss for words…”
HGcardinal55
12. “So instead of renting a pole saw to cut the root that was in the way of their drilled shaft, they decided to duct tape a chainsaw to a 4x4. That also means duct taping the throttle wide open along with duct taping the deadman switch.”
dacsmema
On an individual level, employees can adopt proactive behaviors by actively participating in safety training and sharing personal experiences related to safety.
Engaging in conversations about safety not only raises awareness but also fosters a collective responsibility toward maintaining a safe work environment.
By taking ownership of safety, individuals can contribute to a culture that values and prioritizes health and well-being.
Speaking of safety chaos, see the office split when coworkers feared dogs and pushed for a no-dog policy.
13. “Some welders came into my house; this is their welding machine and electric cord…”
NPredetor_97
14. “Hang in there, buddy…”
skuzzlebut90
15. “Who decided that this was a good idea?”
johnvosh
16. “The safest way to carry lifts of lumber from one part of a yard to a waiting truck! Up in the air above the cab while driving forward. Lol! I see these guys doing this every time I go to this yard.”
Ohnomypants1234
17. “We all know the feeling”
Teimo
18. “I love grinding in the gas room”
TheBlindHarper
19. "A tractor-powered saw bench"
ChobaniTheSecond
20. “Can’t decide between 1 and 2”
ChobaniTheSecond
21. “The building across the street from my job is being worked on, and this was the setup the contractors used to remove damaged bricks, which they dropped directly onto the sidewalk.”
jacksonattack
22. Totally safe...
tiktak7871
23. Something is off here....
Seaweed-Constant
24. “Caught me taking a pic”
Ssedated23
25. “Rules enforced via angry forklift”
zoalcoalt
26. “No emergency exit for you!”
ready_delete
27. “That should be enough to stop the fire from getting in.”
stanrandom
28. “But tell me, how am I supposed to mitigate stupidity in my job hazard assessment form?”
AndMyChisel
29. “At least they don’t have to worry about the top rung of the ladder.”
KAPUTNIK1714
30. “Efficient? Pointlessly dangerous? Something about walking the plank to take a dump”
WrestleWithJimny
31. “In case of fire, wade through flammables.”
phoneatworkguy
32. “On flip-flops…”
Jurandy_Moraes
33. Don't worry, got you covered.
ludwigrx
34. “Ehh, just throw some cardboard in there... 480v never hurt anyone!”
-Krispy-
35. “I still do stuff like this at work because some places (and people) are just hard to reach.”
13goody13
It is pretty amazing to see how irresponsible people can be, right? A total of 5,333 workers died from work-related injuries in the U.S. in 2019, up 2% from 2018.
The fatal work injury rate was 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. And we still haven’t learned our lesson.
The anecdotes shared in the article highlight a glaring disconnect between safety protocols and employee attitudes toward them.
After reading “buddy of mine hit the PPE lottery,” see why a roommate was banned from cooking twice.
