Safety Failures That OSHA Would Prefer Not Be A Thing

Eric Lund

Feb 1, 2022 8:00 PM EST

There are times when circumstances force us into making less-than-safe decisions. That said, a lot of times those circumstances are "my boss doesn't want to have to pay me overtime to finish this job correctly" or "my boss doesn't want to spend a hundred bucks to buy the right tool" or "my boss hurt his back and says I should go in the pipe. I asked him how he hurt his back and he said going in the pipe."

We won't deny, there is a mysterious satisfaction many of us get by completing a task in an unsafe way. It makes you feel more rugged. The inherent danger makes you feel tough and fearless rather than the reality, which is just "lucky." That feeling combined with a lack of proper tools and a boss calling you a diva for wanting safety gloves and you've got a wonderful opportunity to lose a finger.

And then there are the decisions that are straight up dumb. Like having exposed wires all over the place or not tying down a ton of loose crap on a flatbed before hitting the freeway. If you're gonna endanger someone, at least make that person yourself. Here are some misguided safety failures that OSHA would disapprove of.