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Workplace safety is no joke. It’s a very serious issue that affects all of us, whether we’re working in construction or sitting cozily in a cubicle. Hazards like crumbling ceilings, frayed wires, and the scourge of humanity that is asbestos can make your day go from fine to horrible. However, there’s humor to be found even in risky and dangerous situations.

The r/OSHA subreddit, named after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is dedicated to sharing lighthearted photos of people throwing work safety out the window. It’s all about having a bit of fun despite the obviously risky behavior the people in the images are engaging in (please don’t do what they do!). 

Upvote the photos that really got your heart racing and let us know if you’ve ever been in a similar situation, Pandas. Still in the mood to feel better about just how safe you feel at your job? When you’re done enjoying this list, we invite you to have a look through Bored Panda’s previous articles about the legendary subreddit, r/OSHA, right here, here, as well as here. Happy scrolling! Just make sure to hang on tight, the railing’s a bit wobbly.

#1

I Hope A Little Humor Is Allowed… If Not Please Remove

I Hope A Little Humor Is Allowed… If Not Please Remove

Fonzie1225 Report

#2

Use Stares - Not Elevators

Use Stares - Not Elevators

Ian_Rubbish Report

#3

Newton's First Law Of Motion

Newton's First Law Of Motion

TheComputer314 Report

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it possible to secure a rock that size so it won't do that? Or would you have to take the cables off the Golden Gate Bridge?

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The subreddit has nearly 755k members and has recently celebrated its 8th birthday. r/OSHA has been showing off the comedic side of work safety hazards since the beginning of August 2013, and we’re incredibly glad that they exist.

There’s nothing like a few of r/OSHA’s best photos to get the adrenaline pumping through your veins. (Though if you’re terrified of heights like I am, you might want to glance away at some key moments, dear Readers. I literally got chills from some of these photos.)

#5

Either Way I'm Going To Die, At Least I Can Go Painlessly

Either Way I'm Going To Die, At Least I Can Go Painlessly

LordLoko Report

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#6

Looks Like Art!

Looks Like Art!

Popal24 Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, terrifying and dangerous. But can we all also agree that that's really impressive?

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One of the subreddit’s moderators, reddtior -eDgAR-, previously spoke to my colleague about the online group. “It's not meant to be a place for serious discussions about safety, although, oftentimes comments can actually get into great analysis about the issues shown in posts, which is great," the mod told Bored Panda during an earlier interview.

According to -eDgAR-, timing is incredibly important when it comes to whether or not a particular photo or post might go viral. “We don't get a crazy amount of posts like other subreddits and have seen days with only a handful of posts. If you're one of the lucky first, chances are you'll get to the top,” they said.

#8

Middle Easterners Know How To Party

Middle Easterners Know How To Party

avivi_ Report

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The subreddit values original content very much, so if you have anything at all to submit, you should go for it! There are some rules that you should be aware of, however.

For example, you have to post funny scenes from your actual job, as well as its training or instructional videos. In other words, you can’t post any content that isn’t original. Which sounds absolutely fair! Keep in mind, though, that you can only post photos. Actual videos (or articles) are disallowed.

#10

When You Don't Properly Secure Your Load

When You Don't Properly Secure Your Load

5_Frog_Margin Report

#12

A Little Of Russian Spirit

A Little Of Russian Spirit

beeyev Report

Serious work safety hazards are a daily part of life for structural inspectors. Unlike the people who get featured on r/OSHA, they’re very serious about staying safe. Earlier, I had a chat with a couple of structural inspectors from Alpha Structural, Inc., in California. Derek Marier shared with Bored Panda one of his “most nightmarish inspections” at a property in Portuguese Bend on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

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"First off, because of soil conditions and high landslide risks, not much structural work can be performed there," Derek explained about the nightmarish property. “The home had a very interesting foundation system made up of screw jacks, steel beams, and cribbing (commonly used for temporarily lifting a structure while work is being done underneath).”

#13

Nothing Wrong Here?

Nothing Wrong Here?

ApexGunner Report

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Downunderdude
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Come on, be fair. Maybe he doesn't have to turn a single corner or bend in the road.

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#14

Safety Poster At An Amazon Warehouse

Safety Poster At An Amazon Warehouse

s1gnalZer0 Report

#15

Not Sure How I Feel About The New Lock Out Tag Out

Not Sure How I Feel About The New Lock Out Tag Out

AldoG960 Report

He continued: “The front portion of the deck and home was sinking and unfortunately, the homeowner can’t really do much about it. It could have toppled over at any given moment and that’s why the 'nightmarish' description fits well," Derek explained.

According to Derek, safety is absolutely vital for everyone working at Alpha Structural, Inc. “Crawl suits, masks, gloves, steel-toed boots, and many other forms of safety precautions are taken. The chance that a building is actually going to fall over when we do our work is slim to none. Any actual danger is sniffed out pretty quick and avoided. If our guys think it’s unsafe to inspect or work on a location, they’ll make a call based on their best judgment and sometimes they choose to not do it. That’s just our safety policy!"

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#16

A Rube Goldberg Machine Of Broken Bones Starting With Guy On The Left

A Rube Goldberg Machine Of Broken Bones Starting With Guy On The Left

21redditidder12 Report

#17

“Wear PPE” To Me When I Was A Kid. "I Don’t Need Protection" My Dad Now

“Wear PPE” To Me When I Was A Kid. "I Don’t Need Protection" My Dad Now

silver_dollarz Report

#18

It Was Too Expensive To Fix The Sensor, Boss. I Solved The Problem Though

It Was Too Expensive To Fix The Sensor, Boss. I Solved The Problem Though

rfwaverider Report

Meanwhile, Ben Reinhart from Alpha Structural, Inc. shared his own experience with one of the most unsafe homes that he inspected. He visited this particular ‘gem’ back in 1992.

“We went to a 3-story hillside home located in Playa del Rey. The condition of the soil supporting the home was so bad that, during our assessment, we found that the home was cracking and actually moving. We are not alarmists in any sense but this was the first time we had to evacuate,” Ben shared with Bored Panda.

#19

There's Just So Many Things Wrong Here

There's Just So Many Things Wrong Here

thecreepytoast Report

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Children working, flip-flops, no eye protection, this is just at a first glance.

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#20

I Work At A Nature Preserve. A Lawnmower Launched A Rock That Shattered The Greenhouse’s Glass Door. So I Mounted It On A Plaque In The Greenhouse

I Work At A Nature Preserve. A Lawnmower Launched A Rock That Shattered The Greenhouse’s Glass Door. So I Mounted It On A Plaque In The Greenhouse

HandMadeFeelings Report

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stay clear of mowers and line trimmers. At work, we were using line trimmers, and one 30 feet away kick up a rock. I remember watching that rock fly towards me and hit the lens of my safety glasses. Put a nice gouge in them. Without them, it would have been my eye.

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#21

Safe To Say It’s Pretty Cold Here At The Moment. It’s Common For The Workers To Be Transported Home In This Fashion But Never With A Fire Before

Safe To Say It’s Pretty Cold Here At The Moment. It’s Common For The Workers To Be Transported Home In This Fashion But Never With A Fire Before

xeandra_a Report

“Temporary shoring was put in the next morning to prevent the home from collapsing. The complexity of the repair required, getting a large rig on a steep hillside to excavate a 55’ deepened foundation, made this one of the worst, most challenging in our long history. Let’s just say if we were on a reality TV show, this episode would’ve been a season finale,” Ben said.

#22

Well I Hope Nothing Goes Wrong

Well I Hope Nothing Goes Wrong

BargeryDargeryDoo Report

#23

I Don't Think This Is How You Should Handle Asbestos

I Don't Think This Is How You Should Handle Asbestos

s1gnalZer0 Report

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Nixxy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It almost sounds as if it is a monster by the way it says do not disturb it

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#24

Advert I Bumped On Today.. "Professionals" But Jeans And Casual Shoes, No Harness, And Stretching The Hose

Advert I Bumped On Today.. "Professionals" But Jeans And Casual Shoes, No Harness, And Stretching The Hose

YanisK Report

Ben also had some handy tips and tricks to help homeowners make sure that their homes are safe to live in. After all, you wouldn’t want to come to an unsafe home after a long, hard day working around safety hazards.

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#25

If It’s Stupid And It Works…

If It’s Stupid And It Works…

bolivar-shagnasty Report

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Robert T
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better than spilling it all over the floor. They're doing pretty well as they don't seem to have spilt a drop.

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“Basic maintenance will keep your home strong for a long time to come. Our advice would be to clean out gutters, ensure you have downspouts that direct water away from your foundation and see that the hardscape (walkways, patios, etc.) and landscape grade away from the home. Most foundation problems are caused by water and poor drainage,” he said.

#28

Ah Yes, Algae And Stagnant Water In The Water Cooler

Ah Yes, Algae And Stagnant Water In The Water Cooler

Lurker1303 Report

#29

Who Needs A Scaffold When You Have A Rope Ladder

Who Needs A Scaffold When You Have A Rope Ladder

Grande_Yarbles Report

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Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Confidence makes a huge difference when doing things like this though. It's like those people who do flips on top of really high structures. They know exactly what they're doing.

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#30

Don’t Worry, Propane Is Stored In The Shed Too

Don’t Worry, Propane Is Stored In The Shed Too

jake2w1 Report

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“If you look under your home, check to see that there is no earth-to-wood contact. Not only will moisture from the ground get to the wood and cause rot, it also allows for wood-destroying organisms to get to the framing of your home. Additionally, earthquake retrofitting is a cost-effective upgrade encouraged by not only engineering communities but also local and state officials.”

#31

That's A Structural Ethernet Cable

That's A Structural Ethernet Cable

purdy1985 Report

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Ozzie Ogawa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those ethernet cable are pretty strong actually, once my teacher in high school attached a cart to his motorcycle and pulling it for kilometers from school to his house.

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#33

They Pulled Out Onto The Interstate

They Pulled Out Onto The Interstate

MtnMaiden Report

#34

Quit My Job At Ge This Week. Left With This Pearl Of Wisdom. It’s Hot In There, Obvs

Quit My Job At Ge This Week. Left With This Pearl Of Wisdom. It’s Hot In There, Obvs

Marlboro_Gold Report

#35

Eye Wash Station Was Restocked At Work Finally

Eye Wash Station Was Restocked At Work Finally

jkwrangl3r Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bottle on the right for the eyes, the bottle on the left for the soul!

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#36

Fall Protection Pin Nearly Worn Through! Almost Looks Cut Intentionally? Guesses?

Fall Protection Pin Nearly Worn Through! Almost Looks Cut Intentionally? Guesses?

b-assblaster Report

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#37

"It Ain't Going Anywhere"

"It Ain't Going Anywhere"

RedSynister Report

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Stimpy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this? Is this a whole building supported only by piled stone blocks a teenager could shove over?

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#40

An Important Reminder That Ppe Is Always Good To Follow! This Is A Piece Of Metal That Shot From My Hammer Like A Bullet After Impacting Another Piece Of Metal. Easily Could Have Been My Eye!

An Important Reminder That Ppe Is Always Good To Follow! This Is A Piece Of Metal That Shot From My Hammer Like A Bullet After Impacting Another Piece Of Metal. Easily Could Have Been My Eye!

Ragnarok_Edict Report

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Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep...that how I got my "pierced" nipple. Shot off,went through my shirt and into me. Doctor said it would hurt more coming out than going in, so there it lives.

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Note: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.