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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

#3

Safety Standards In 1960

Safety Standards In 1960

WildAnimus Report

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

Cat litter actually is ideal for gas/diesel spills

Biytemii
Community Member
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
2 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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 week 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
2 weeks 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
2 weeks 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
2 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone needs a refresher course in Health and Safety

Subaru645
Community Member
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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

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#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

#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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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

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#24

Drinking Coffee While Working With Isotopes At Lab

Drinking Coffee While Working With Isotopes At Lab

Keegipeeter Report

#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

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#32

Invisible Forklift

Invisible Forklift

Ill_Independent3989 Report

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JB
Community Member
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
3 weeks 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

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#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
3 weeks 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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Note: this post originally had 63 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.