Horseplay is usually a friendly, physical way to play around. But that type of fooling around is dangerous on the job because:

• When you’re fooling around, you’re not concentrating on your work.
• Directing your horseplay at others is even more dangerous. They’re not expecting the distraction and could easily have an accident such as falling into a moving machine part, slipping on the floor, or dropping a tool.
• Giving less than full concentration and attention to safety procedures makes you less likely to notice or account for hazards until it may be too late.
• Most accidents are caused by unsafe acts—and horseplay itself is an unsafe act.

The building trades industry is potentially dangerous and anything that unnecessarily increases the chance of an injury must be eliminated. Horseplay benefits no one and usually only builds up resentment and fosters retaliation. Practical jokes should be discouraged. At some point, if they continue they need to be reported.

Examples of Horseplay
– Scaring someone.
– Air hosing someone.
– Wrestling with someone.
– Boxing.
– Dropping objects next to someone.
– Throwing water on someone.
– Throwing objects or tools at someone.
– Placing tacks under someone.

Remember: Practical jokers can not guarantee the success of their jokes. They can guarantee that they increase the chance of an accident occurring. Imagine a joke that backfires, resulting in an injury or death to a co-worker. Do you want any part of that? It’s easy enough to get hurt on the job as it is. Let’s not increase anyone’s chances.