ADVERTISEMENT

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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Fuel Spill Clean-Up

Fuel Spill Clean-Up

JoeKleine Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

We All Like A Little Bit Of Shade Right?

We All Like A Little Bit Of Shade Right?

Tuaterstar Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

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

A hydraulic seal pops and those guys are dead in under 2 seconds. Absolutely dumb as f**k

UncleJohn3000
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You can't come back in the shade until you go take a dump. What's wrong with you?!?!"

Kalikima
Community Member
Premium
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's one way to get out of the sun for a bit..

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

I am guessing that they had no hydraulic fluid leaks because that could wreck their day.

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

It's all good until a hose blows. And we all know those hoses let you know a week in advance of when they're gonna pop.

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

Couldn't just throw a tarp over the back hoe creating a tent-like structure. That would be a sissy move.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#32

Invisible Forklift

Invisible Forklift

Ill_Independent3989 Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

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

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

pablomcdubbin Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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".

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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?!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

Local Utility Company Posted This On Social Media

Local Utility Company Posted This On Social Media

Appropriate_Shake265 Report

#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#63

1" Polyethylene Pipe Used For Handrail

1" Polyethylene Pipe Used For Handrail

rasta4eye Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu