Horseplay

1. Horseplay

2. What is Horseplay? When an individual lacks focus on their current tasks and starts goofing around Engaging in a playful manner that usually disregards all safety precautions

3. Horseplay Examples The following examples were from a tool box talk: Distracting a worker who is performing a job. Startling your fellow worker. Playing tricks on young or new workers. They may become confused to the point where they injure themselves or someone else. Wresting, Indian style or tag team. Wrestling matches can be held after working hours, not on the jobsite. Showing off with feats of strength. You may drop something on yourself-or someone else.

4. How is it Reported? OSHA Reporting Requirements specify that all injuries sustained from horseplay are reported under the injury sustained. There is no ‘horseplay’ category: Example: Two workers were slap-boxing on a roof. One worker stepped off the roof and sustained a fall injury. The injury was then reported as a fall.

5. Known Horseplay Fatalities #1 Employee was standing on tractor battery box playing with the controls Driver warned the employee stop ‘horse playing’ and to get off the tractor Employee while playing with the controls put tractor into reverse and lost his balance. Employee was then crushed when he fell underneath the wheel after losing balance. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

6. Fatalities cont’d #2 Victim reported as “playing” on scaffolding 4’ high Standing on a cantilevered plank the victim lost balance and fell hitting the cross braces. Suffered fatal internal injuries from the fall SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

7. Fatalities cont’d #3 Employee was elevated approximately 20 feet above the ground on the forks of a Yale forklift He was crushed between a concrete overhang and the load backrest of the lift. According to several eyewitnesses he and his coworker, who was operating the forklift, were "horsing" around when the accident occurred. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

8. Importance of No Horseplay Workplace fatalities that occur on road construction sites typically account for 1.5 percent to 2.0 percent of all workplace fatalities annually. Although these fatalities are not known to be directly related to ‘horseplay’, the dangers of the jobsite can be clearly seen. These dangers do not need to be exacerbated with employees engaging in ‘horseplay’ SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/12/ressum2.pdf

9. Road Construction Fatalities Without ‘horseplay’ on the jobsite there were a total of 844 workers killed on road construction sites from 1995 to 2002. More than half of these fatalities were attributable to a worker being struck by a vehicle or mobile equipment. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/12/ressum2.pdf

10. Prevention can Save Lives Taking actions against horseplay can help reduce injuries or even fatalities on the jobsite The important thing to remember is that it is ’better to be safe than sorry’

11. Prevention Methods Take every task and job serious when working in any environment Don’t distract or startle someone who is at work Stop it or report it. If you see horseplay, try to stop it. If you can’t, report it to your supervisor. You could be saving a life.

12. Prevention Methods Work defensively. Be aware of how unsafe acts might affect you. At the same time, be aware of how your actions might affect others. Explain to fellow co-workers the seriousness of someone being injured by fooling around and not paying attention. Management setting the example. It is imperative that management establish a ‘no horseplay’ policy and follow through on it.