06 Apr Horseplay

Horseplay

Horseplay, practical jokes, and other inappropriate behavior have no place in the workplace. Construction and other work environments already contain hazards involving tools, equipment, vehicles, electricity, elevated work, and moving materials. Horseplay introduces an unnecessary and unpredictable hazard that can result in serious injury or death.

What begins as harmless fun can quickly cause someone to lose their balance, drop a tool, step into the path of equipment, contact an energized source, or react in an unexpected way. Employees must remain focused on their work and avoid behavior that could endanger themselves or others.

Examples of Horseplay

Horseplay may include:

• Deliberately startling or frightening another employee.
• Wrestling, pushing, shoving, tripping, or grabbing another person.
• Pretend fighting or boxing.
• Throwing tools, materials, or other objects at or near someone.
• Dropping objects near someone to intentionally startle them.
• Spraying another employee with water, compressed air, or other substances.
• Misusing compressed air or pneumatic equipment as a joke.
• Tampering with another employee’s tools, equipment, PPE, or personal belongings.
• Hiding equipment or materials as a prank.
• Placing objects where someone may sit, step, or trip on them.
• Distracting an employee who is operating equipment, driving, climbing, lifting, or performing another hazardous task.
• Misusing vehicles, mobile equipment, machinery, or workplace safety devices for amusement.
• Any physical prank or behavior that creates an unnecessary risk of injury.

Compressed air must never be directed at another person. Compressed air can cause serious eye, hearing, skin, and internal injuries.

Why Horseplay Is Dangerous

Horseplay can result in:

• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Struck-by or caught-between injuries.
• Cuts, punctures, and eye injuries.
• Contact with moving machinery or equipment.
• Electrical contact.
• Dropped objects or materials.
• Vehicle or mobile-equipment incidents.
• Damage to tools, equipment, or property.
• Distraction of employees performing safety-critical work.
• Conflict, retaliation, or escalation between employees.
• Serious or fatal injuries.

The person initiating a prank cannot predict how another employee will react or what secondary hazards may result.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees are expected to:

• Conduct themselves professionally and safely while working.
• Never participate in horseplay, practical jokes, or reckless behavior.
• Never encourage others to participate in unsafe behavior.
• Stop participating immediately if an activity becomes unsafe.
• Warn coworkers when their actions create an immediate hazard, when it is safe to do so.
• Report horseplay or unsafe behavior to a supervisor, particularly when it creates a hazard, continues after a warning, or could result in injury.
• Follow company safety rules and supervisory instructions at all times.

Supervisors should address horseplay promptly and consistently in accordance with company policies.

Discussion Questions

Consider discussing the following with the crew:

• What types of horseplay could be especially dangerous in our current work area?
• Could a prank distract someone operating equipment, using a power tool, or working at height?
• When should an employee immediately report horseplay to a supervisor?
• How could one person’s actions expose employees who were not involved?
• What should you do if someone encourages you to participate in unsafe behavior?

Remember

There is no way to guarantee that a practical joke will end as intended. Do not create additional hazards for amusement. Stay focused, respect your coworkers, and speak up when horseplay puts someone at risk.