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Depending on what your job is, workplace safety can range from getting a stiff wrist to all sorts of daily life and death situations. Fortunately, at least if you are in the US, there is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to make sure your employer does their utmost to prevent any injury. However, just because there is a rule doesn’t mean all employers actually follow it.

The “r/OSHA” online is dedicated to documenting the most atrocious, random and grimly hilarious workplace safety violations. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

#1

The More You Look The Worse It Gets

The More You Look The Worse It Gets

AidanGee Report

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    #3

    Safety Standards In 1960

    Safety Standards In 1960

    WildAnimus Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you ask some of us older folks we'll tell you many a tale of the "old days" when this sort of thing was the norm.

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    While most countries have their own equivalent, OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has become the catch-all method of discussing workplace safety or lack thereof. Founded in 1970 by Richard Nixon, its task was by no means simple.

    The agency was designed to “"assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance." After all, in many jobs, bad days happen, but there are “best practices” that can be put in place to limit just how often workers end up falling off ladders.

    #4

    Covered In Stainless Steel Dust With No Face Masks Or Respirators

    Covered In Stainless Steel Dust With No Face Masks Or Respirators

    Like polishing a cybertruck wasn’t already dumb enough…

    ZombiesInSpace Report

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    #5

    Fuel Spill Clean-Up

    Fuel Spill Clean-Up

    JoeKleine Report

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    Lyone Fein
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's her having a lit cigarette while working near spilt gasoline that's the problem.

    Jay
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cat litter actually is ideal for gas/diesel spills

    Biytemii
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is not that easy to catch gas on fire unless there's a ton of fumes u can throw a little cigarette in a puddle of gas and it will go out. Mythbusters did an episode on this and it was myth busted. It obv could happen under exact right circumstances but that's a slim chance

    Chickie
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not the liquid that is flammable...it's the rising fumes...

    deletemyaccount
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You need a lot more fumes and a lot more heat than a cigarette produces to ignite a gas fire.

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    Jocelyn Webster
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kitty litter - ok.. safety crocs - not ok... lit cigarette - not ok. And the look on her face to boot.

    Frank Miller
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lit cigarette, even while puffing on it, cannot ignite gasoline vapors. Dozens of studies have proven that under all conceivable conditions. There is no oxygen at the combustion region of a lit cigarette and, in fact, that region is flooded with carbon dioxide. If you know anything about combustion, you'll realize that that creates an impossibility for ignition, as has been proven.

    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing in this picture is dangerous. Gasoline vapor is heavier than air, but even if there was a vapor concentration that can be ignited and it's right at the end of the cigarette nothing's going to happen because a cigarette won't ignite gasoline vapor. Related fun fact: if you want to ignite gasoline while not actually being there you can use a cigarette with a match stuck in the non-burning end. When the cigarette burns down to the match it will ignite the match, and the match will ignite the gasoline vapor.

    Lene
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *WHOOOOSH* 🎵 where have all the fuel spill gone? Long tiiime passing🎵

    Lesbitarian Lady
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You have a remarkable grasp of the obvious, congratulations

    Wendell T Sasaki
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's always good to thin the herd, hopefully there is no collateral damage.

    John Nelson
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember an incident a couple decades ago. They were refilling the tanks at a gas station, guy flicked a lit cigarette aside, nothing left of the gas station but a huge crater.

    Curtis Harvey
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She could honestly throw her lit smoke on the spilt gas and it wouldn't catch fire.

    Darius S. (he/him) cis/grey
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I worked in trucking , all the fuel guys were smokers. They'd douse out their smokes.

    Midoribird Aoi
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I saw a Hy-Vee employee doing that in one of their gas stations with a lit cigarette, I would report her! That cigarette on Hy-Vee grounds by employees is a fireable offense!

    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This photo of an idiot reminds me of an idiot I knew back in high school who was siphoning gas, got quite a bit on his clothes, then decided to light a cigarette. Needless to say, he ended up in the burn unit.

    G A
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone needs a refresher course in Health and Safety

    Subaru645
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is it suddenly so hot around me, she asked before she was engulfed

    Guess Undheit
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Typical butthead behavior. EVERY time you hear about a car blowing up, propane explosion, whatever, the FIRST thing you hear from the idiot inside is, "I wasn't smoking!" Non-smokers don't say that only butthead smokers do. And butthead smokers ALWAYS put their addiction first. [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSgRC83aP7g ] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uuvsdfWQB8 ] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DBFVb2a7Mo ] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aptAE8SCMaU ] This one is hilarious, the idiot smokes after using hand sanitizer which is SEVENTY PERCENT ALCOHOL: [ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pQ9QZeTYZvk ]

    Big Bear Buchko
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's clearly diesel, which is not combustible like regular gasoline and is often used as a cleanser and degreaser, especially in garages and areas like this.

    TheBlueBitterfly
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How is it "clearly diesel?" (And don't say "green pump handle" because BP stations use green for their 87 gas.)

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    #6

    We All Like A Little Bit Of Shade Right?

    We All Like A Little Bit Of Shade Right?

    Tuaterstar Report

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    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sure somebody slapped it and said, "That ain't going nowhere." and they were almost certainly right.

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    If you are surprised by the late date of OSHA’s founding, it’s worth pointing out that the US already had some job safety regulations and oversight since the 1930s, put in place by the Bureau of Labor Standards of the Department of Labor. Even this seems shockingly “late” given the prevalence of heavy industry in the US, but it’s better than nothing.

    #7

    The Lock Is To Prevent The Fire Escaping

    The Lock Is To Prevent The Fire Escaping

    AidanGee Report

    #8

    Construction Workers At Epcot, Disneyworld, Early 1980s

    Construction Workers At Epcot, Disneyworld, Early 1980s

    Nicker Report

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    However, OSHA isn’t some all-knowing and all-seeing organization, it really does need people to report violations. As these images show, many job sites are unsafe because managers are lazy or want to cut costs. While the worst that might happen to some of us is a sore wrist or bad-posture-induced pain, in certain jobs something going wrong can lead to significantly worse outcomes.

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    #10

    Huh, So That Is Why They Told Me To X-Ray The Ground First

    Huh, So That Is Why They Told Me To X-Ray The Ground First

    the-doctor-is-real Report

    #12

    I Mean If The Grabber Is Closed Before Getting In I Don't See The Harm

    I Mean If The Grabber Is Closed Before Getting In I Don't See The Harm

    Rough_Community_1439 Report

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    deejak
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, but you know how guys play: "heh, watch this, I'm gonna rattle the bucket to scare him" then oops.

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    #13

    This Is How My Great Grandpa Stored His Dynamite, Passed Away, And Left Me To Deal With It Christmas Eve

    This Is How My Great Grandpa Stored His Dynamite, Passed Away, And Left Me To Deal With It Christmas Eve

    StarSlayerX Report

    #16

    That Should Do It

    That Should Do It

    TemporaryAccount-tem Report

    #17

    What My Grandpa Was Using To Change Photos Above The Stairs

    What My Grandpa Was Using To Change Photos Above The Stairs

    Desperate_Growth4922 Report

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    #19

    Grandpa’s Asbestos Tin

    Grandpa’s Asbestos Tin

    He uses it to anneal metal.

    pernaso77 Report

    #20

    Only A Matter Of Time Until Maximizing Profits. Bankrupts The Whole Company

    Only A Matter Of Time Until Maximizing Profits. Bankrupts The Whole Company

    100s of racks damaged way beyond being safe. It’s a game of Jenga stacking 1000s of pounds up in overstock. Just a matter of time until something horrible happens.

    allfire4207 Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't stack anything on it. Leave it all in the yard, take everything down. Let the upper mgmt and CEO deal with it. It's not worth the risk.

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    #21

    From A Power Washer Advertisement: Look How Easy It Cuts Through Soft Material!

    From A Power Washer Advertisement: Look How Easy It Cuts Through Soft Material!

    Buetti Report

    #22

    Totally Safe, It's A Load-Bearing Dumpster

    Totally Safe, It's A Load-Bearing Dumpster

    Mikey77777 Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On some of these I would like to see the scene being set. Just how DO they get this in place?

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    #23

    New Ceiling Lights In My Workplace Are Powered By Putting 220v Mains Voltage Into Metal Railing With Scissor Clips. The Ceilings Are Low Enough That I Could Touch The Railings If I Stretch Enough. They Were Done This Way For "Aesthetics"

    New Ceiling Lights In My Workplace Are Powered By Putting 220v Mains Voltage Into Metal Railing With Scissor Clips. The Ceilings Are Low Enough That I Could Touch The Railings If I Stretch Enough. They Were Done This Way For "Aesthetics"

    savawell Report

    #24

    Drinking Coffee While Working With Isotopes At Lab

    Drinking Coffee While Working With Isotopes At Lab

    Keegipeeter Report

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    #25

    Saw This Outside My Office Today, What A Lovely Place To Relax Before Starting The Job

    Saw This Outside My Office Today, What A Lovely Place To Relax Before Starting The Job

    rymannoodle Report

    #26

    I Get Really Nervous When Adam Savage Wears His Watch (And Ring) While Machining. Shouldn't He Consider Removing These Items Before Machining?

    I Get Really Nervous When Adam Savage Wears His Watch (And Ring) While Machining. Shouldn't He Consider Removing These Items Before Machining?

    TheWaveCarver Report

    #27

    What's The Fastest Way To Get Workers On A Roof?

    What's The Fastest Way To Get Workers On A Roof?

    FightingBruin Report

    #28

    Removing Lead Paint With A Blowtorch Without A Mask

    Removing Lead Paint With A Blowtorch Without A Mask

    RobertWrag Report

    #29

    Saw This At A Bar I Deliver To

    Saw This At A Bar I Deliver To

    Noversi Report

    #30

    My Guys' Sense Of Humor When I Point Out Three Uncovered Hole Hazards On A Job Site

    My Guys' Sense Of Humor When I Point Out Three Uncovered Hole Hazards On A Job Site

    RiffRaff028 Report

    #31

    Got Canned Yesterday For Pointing Out This Massive Violation

    Got Canned Yesterday For Pointing Out This Massive Violation

    ILIKESPAGHETTIYAY Report

    #32

    Invisible Forklift

    Invisible Forklift

    Ill_Independent3989 Report

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    JB
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Given that that's a load bearing post, I'm going to say they're all pretty well forked!

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    #33

    We Carried 50 Beds, 50 Cupboards, 50 Sideboards And 50 Wall Cabinets Over That Pitfall

    We Carried 50 Beds, 50 Cupboards, 50 Sideboards And 50 Wall Cabinets Over That Pitfall

    Agasthenes Report

    #35

    It’s A Fun Day When Nothing Is Locked Out!

    It’s A Fun Day When Nothing Is Locked Out!

    slundered Report

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    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My. God. Working at a safety company now and this is literally my nightmare. That there are people out there working like this. And I don't necessarily blame the workers. I'm sure it's more about pressure from the management

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    #36

    I Found An Electrician Wearing This

    I Found An Electrician Wearing This

    RandomCreeper3 Report

    #38

    There Is An Osha Violation, And Than There Is Pure Madness

    There Is An Osha Violation, And Than There Is Pure Madness

    hopopo Report

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    Bob Brooce
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OSHA doesn't regulate people engaged in recreation, especially in Russia. I'm sure there's at least one YT video of this guy doing far more dangerous stuff, and maybe even a video of the last time he did something dangerous.

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    #39

    Saw On My Facebook.. Dude Grinding Right Into The Produce

    Saw On My Facebook.. Dude Grinding Right Into The Produce

    pablomcdubbin Report

    #40

    Road Out Front My Parents’ Place In Rural West Getting Re-Paved

    Road Out Front My Parents’ Place In Rural West Getting Re-Paved

    scootty83 Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People b***h about OSHA and other regulating agencies, but they forget that there was a reason these agencies came into being.

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    #41

    Look, I Don’t Wanna Be “That Guy”or Nothin, But This Feels A Tad Dangerous

    Look, I Don’t Wanna Be “That Guy”or Nothin, But This Feels A Tad Dangerous

    NoBdy_WzarD Report

    #42

    I’m Hoping The Oil From The Fryer Is At Least Cold When They Try This…

    I’m Hoping The Oil From The Fryer Is At Least Cold When They Try This…

    [deleted] Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope the employees walk out when they see this. But I also wonder what else is "improvised".

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    #43

    Youtuber Testing A Unsecured Ceiling Fan With Sharpened Blades While Standing Underneath It And Using His Hands

    Youtuber Testing A Unsecured Ceiling Fan With Sharpened Blades While Standing Underneath It And Using His Hands

    tcdirks1 Report

    #44

    Post-It: The Traditional Way To Mitigate Workplace Danger

    Post-It: The Traditional Way To Mitigate Workplace Danger

    SinstarMutation Report

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    Jrog
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once again, illegal since the mid-50s, and subject of multiple State and OSHA regulations. This door should have been decommissioned seven decades ago.

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    #45

    In Spain, We Attach The Fire Extinguisher To The Flammable Items, Like Gas Cylinders

    In Spain, We Attach The Fire Extinguisher To The Flammable Items, Like Gas Cylinders

    TweakUnwanted Report

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    Farnzy
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is the hope that the fire extinguisher exploding also will put out the fire?!

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    #46

    Great Grandpa Electrical Work In The 60s

    Great Grandpa Electrical Work In The 60s

    StarSlayerX Report

    #47

    Got Those Cables In, Boss, Hell Of A Job

    Got Those Cables In, Boss, Hell Of A Job

    Myrtha_Thistlethorne Report

    #48

    Is This Safe? They Tell Me 'It's Fine'. Been This Way For Years

    Is This Safe? They Tell Me 'It's Fine'. Been This Way For Years

    crasagam Report

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    María Hermida
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When my granny was in hospital, I saw a maintenance idiot drop an oxygen cylinder. The thing fell on the valve, and it was like a missile. It crossed all the corridor at top speed, perhaps 40 metres, and crashed into a brick wall, where it made a big hole as if the wall had been cardboard. Just as well it didn't catch anybody!

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    #49

    Got It👍

    Got It👍

    bigmike0004 Report

    #50

    Big Debate About New Pallet Slide At Work

    Big Debate About New Pallet Slide At Work

    Somebody fell down the stairs while removing a pallet from the platform so they decided to install a slide..

    Free-Pension-1145 Report

    #52

    The "Stairs" Im Expected To Climb Daily

    The "Stairs" Im Expected To Climb Daily

    afartispoopcrying Report

    #53

    There’s A Lot To Unpack Here Past The Cellphone

    There’s A Lot To Unpack Here Past The Cellphone

    Well this is the factory tonight. Dumb award goes to this stupid bastard for being on his phone when the press was running. It's 9:30. And they will be here till tomorrow. If you are wondering that is high temp gasket sealer. Not gonna be easy.

    KP230 Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The number one violation here is for the fellow on the left's fashion sense when it comes to his choice of under pantaloons.

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    #54

    Local Utility Company Posted This On Social Media

    Local Utility Company Posted This On Social Media

    Appropriate_Shake265 Report

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    #55

    We're Expecting Some Cold Weather And The Building I Work In Put A Faucet Cover Over The Sprinkler By The Door

    We're Expecting Some Cold Weather And The Building I Work In Put A Faucet Cover Over The Sprinkler By The Door

    NotCollin__ Report

    #56

    Since The Top Post Right Now Is Worried About Adam's Lathe Practices, Please Allow Me To Introduce "Ididathing". And Yes, It's On

    Since The Top Post Right Now Is Worried About Adam's Lathe Practices, Please Allow Me To Introduce "Ididathing". And Yes, It's On

    Embershardx Report

    #58

    This Company Does This On A Daily. They Have Shoring Equipment But It’s Not Convenient

    This Company Does This On A Daily. They Have Shoring Equipment But It’s Not Convenient

    Oneshot1187 Report

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    Papa
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sides appear to be sloped back at 45°. I believe that makes it legal.

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    #59

    Staples (Hazlet Nj) Blocked Fire Exit And No Restrooms

    Staples (Hazlet Nj) Blocked Fire Exit And No Restrooms

    ybnrml86 Report

    #60

    I Wish This Was Fake, Saw This At A Guy's House While Doing A Marketplace Deal

    I Wish This Was Fake, Saw This At A Guy's House While Doing A Marketplace Deal

    rasputinrasputin Report

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    Jay
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember having this conversation with a former coworker: Me - "Hey, are you going to wear a face shield, to cut that metal plate? Because, these cutting wheels tend to break sometimes." Him - Looking at me, debating, but hesitantly wearing the face shield. 30 seconds into him cutting the plate... OH SHT... are you ok? Ohh wow, that shield saved your face!!! Basically, cutting wheel broke, a piece flew off, and broke a hole right through the shield. Luckily, it stopped it enough, that he was just nicked, and his face wasn't obliterated! Lesson - YOUR BRAIN, IS YOUR BEST PPE... Use it wisely!!

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    #61

    I've Been In Construction 13 Years And I've Never Seen This. Anybody Have An Explanation...?

    I've Been In Construction 13 Years And I've Never Seen This. Anybody Have An Explanation...?

    mrparoxysms Report

    #62

    Found A Stocker At Work Using This Broken Steak Knife To Cut Open Boxes

    Found A Stocker At Work Using This Broken Steak Knife To Cut Open Boxes

    proteccthebees Report

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    PFD
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks highly practical to me. I've had utility knife blades snap in use before - at least there's no risk of that. A good solid handle. Likely to be plenty sharp enough for tape but not likely to be sharp enough to slice skin easily. I truly don't see the issue.

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    #63

    1" Polyethylene Pipe Used For Handrail

    1" Polyethylene Pipe Used For Handrail

    rasta4eye Report

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    Jrog
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A common arrangement for temporary handrails in construction sites. It works quite well and -believe it or not- is up to code.

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