W ould you intervene if you saw a member of our work crew pulling a prank on a colleague? Or would you laugh it off and say, “Boys will be boys?” Keep in mind that horseplay incidents are no laughing matter. Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies horseplay as a top cause of preventable workplace injuries. Not only can pranks and practical jokes lead to compressed air incidents that cause fatal embolisms, eardrum ruptures and eye loss, but falls from heights triggered by horseplay have mortality rates as high as 85%. Plus, struck-by incidents from thrown objects can cause fractures, amputations and head trauma. Key areas To prevent horseplay- related injuries, we first need to identify key areas in the workplace where inappropriate conduct can lead to incidents. These include crowded or cluttered workspaces, production areas with heavy machinery that requires the full attention of the operator, and stairways and walkways where clutter can cause slips, trips and falls. In these work areas, it’s especially important to avoid pranks such as faking an emergency or tripping an alarm, booby-trapping equipment, hiding tools or materials, removing warning signs or tape, or switching labels or tags on hazardous material containers. Compressed air You also want to pay attention to safety when you’re using compressed air. Never point an air gun at a coworker. Here’s why: If compressed air enters the bloodstream through the rectum, the genitals, or a wound, it can cause air bubbles to form in the blood, block circulation and stop the heart. And compressed air directed at the ear can rupture the eardrum and lead to permanent hearing loss. Air pressure can also damage the eye and lead to retinal detachment, bleeding in the eye, or a globe rupture, any of which can cause blindness. Another way to avoid injuries from horseplay is to never throw tools or materials at coworkers. It might seem harmless at first, but tossing items such as wrenches, hammers, or screwdrivers can be risky because the person on the receiving end might react slowly and get hit in the face or the head. Be proactive In addition to steering clear of horseplay yourself, you should be proactive if you see other employees engaging in unruly conduct. Remember: If you report horseplay, you’re not being a snitch; you’re protecting your coworkers. And if you see horseplay and do nothing, you’re endorsing the untoward behavior. Speak to your supervisor privately, and be as specific as you can: “I saw Bob throw a wrench at Bill in the break room.” Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there! Subject: Warning signs In the hustle and bustle of getting our work done, we might not always pay as much attention to warning signs as we should. But that can be a mistake. Warning signs have been put up for a reason, and failure to heed them could lead to a severe injury. What to focus on Here are two things to know about workplace warning signs. 1. Be aware of what the different signs mean. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified three different types of warning signs: Danger, which indicates an extremely hazardous situation; Caution, which signifies the potential for moderate injuries; and Warning, which discloses a level of hazard between Danger and Caution. 2. Pay attention to the color of the sign. OSHA also classifies warning signs according to their color. Red means danger or stop and is intended to warn against hazards from flammable liquids, emergency stops and fire dangers. Orange is used for warning signs in work zones. Yellow signs point out hazards and warn against unsafe behaviors. Green signs provide safety instructions, and blue signs disclose general information unrelated to the risk of incidents or injuries. Today’s safety meeting ✔ Topic: Horseplay ✔ Today’s Date: __________________ ✔ Attendee Signatures: Tailgate talk Supervisor’s safety toolbox SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS 4 Safety Alert for Supervisors August 17, 2026