Handout

Avoid Harmful Horseplay

WHAT’S AT STAKE? not fitting in the workplace. Remember that any

workplace tool can be a lethal weapon if misused,
Horseplay is rough play, practical jokes and other even in fun. Don’t engage in this type of activity.
physical humor which can endanger workers.
Horseplay at work is also linked to bullying Discourage it
behavior. In those cases, jokes are actually
harassment targeting new workers or others who, Discourage your fellow workers from “acting up”
in someone’s opinion, do not fit in with the crew. on the job.

WHAT’S THE DANGER? Train early

A victim’s explosive anger is one danger arising Help influence and train new and young workers to
from horseplay. Even if a certain prank doesn’t avoid horseplay and stick to the rules. Warn them
cause physical injury, it could bring dangerous that there may be times when the same-old, same-
retaliation. Workplace “joking” has resulted in old atmosphere at work seems to call for a little
fatally stabbed jokers. And even the most light- “lightening up,” but the cost of following that
hearted horseplay can distract workers for a second temptation can quickly become heartbreakingly
and cost someone a serious injury. Every year heavy.
people are injured during horseplay. “I’m sorry”
No audience
can’t bring back a finger, an eye or a life.

Ignoring horseplay is sometimes a smart way to

EXAMPLES
discourage it.
Vandalism is closely linked to horseplay as
Report it
destruction of property for a prank or more
malicious reasons. Consider the traffic fatality in
The best way to stop horseplay, however, is to
which three innocent people were killed when the
report any worker who refuses to listen to reason
vehicle in which they were riding smashed into a
about practical jokes and horseplay. It may cost
transport truck. Why? Pranksters had deliberately
that person a job, but it could save a life.
knocked down a stop sign at a rural intersection.
Whoever did that probably thought they were FINAL WORD
being pretty funny at the time.
It makes no difference what the motive is for
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF horseplay – boredom, humor or deliberate cruelty.
The result is the same: Horseplay hurts.
Think of victim

Be aware of how practical jokes affect the victim –

endangering, frightening and belittling him or her.
Treat others how you would like to be treated.

Don’t play

If someone plays a practical joke on you or invites

you to join in horseplay, tell him it’s dangerous and

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 Handout

QUIZ

1. Some horseplay in workplaces is linked to

bullying.
o True
o False

2. If a prank doesn't cause physical injury, it's

safe to do.
o True
o False

3. Any workplace tool can be a lethal weapon if

misused.
o True
o False

4. Ignoring horseplay can be a smart way to

discourage it.
o True
o False

5. The best way to stop horseplay is to report it.

o True
o False

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 For Leaders

BEFORE THE TALK - TIPS AFTER THE TALK- CHECKLIST

1. Discussions of horseplay can quickly go off track, PROVIDED FOLLOW-UP TO WORKERS THAT DID
as talk turns away from the hazards and toward
bragging about supposedly humorous exploits. POORLY ON THE QUIZ
Be prepared to keep this meeting on track. NAME: _______________________________________________
2. There are many reasons for a company to forbid _______________________________________________________
horseplay. Here's one: In a compensation case, an DATE: ________________________________________________
employer was found responsible for injuries an
employee received while playing a prank on OBSERVED WORKERS
another worker. TASK(S): _____________________________________________
3. There's no doubt horseplay kills. Here's one such _______________________________________________________
DATE: ________________________________________________
fatal incident: A helicopter pilot and passenger
were killed in a crash attributed to horseplay.
REFRESHER TRAINING
Witnesses reported seeing two helicopters
TOPIC(S): _____________________________________________
engaged in what appeared to be games or stunts
_______________________________________________________
in the air, dodging and weaving within a short DATE: ________________________________________________
distance of each other. When the one helicopter
attempted a steep climb, the tail section fell off OTHER (DESCRIBE): ________________________________
and the machine crashed into a residential area. MEETING DATE: _____________________________________
4. Ask your workers to share suggestions about LOCATION: __________________________________________
halting horseplay.
5. Explain the procedures for reporting horseplay
incidents to the supervisor. Remind your workers
that reporting horseplay could save a life.
6. Ask your workers for their opinions about why
dangerous horseplay happens.

NOTES

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ANSWERS:
1. True 4. True
2. False 5. True
3. True

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 For Leaders

ATTENDANCE

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INSTRUCTOR: ____________________________________ DATE: _____________________________

SAFETY TALK: _________________________________________________________________________

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Safety Talks | SafetyNow © | www.SafetyNow.com | 1.800.667.9300