The 25 Worst Contractor Safety Excuses

September 14, 2016

Safety might not be a joke, but the 25 worst contractor safety excuses definitely are a joke. There is no acceptable excuse to skip out, go cheap or cut corners on safety. These excuses are far too common. How many of them do you hear at your job

1. I’ve been doing it this way for (X) years and never had a problem before.

2. We don’t have it in the budget.

3. What are the chances they actually need these?

4. New rules are for new contractors.

5. I heard someone still got hurt even with (safety equipment)…

6. We can’t make any upgrades until next year.

7. The province will never find out anyway.

8. I can’t listen to headphones while wearing safety gear.

9. We can’t complete this project on time if we take every safety precaution.

10. I don’t like safety goggles.

11. The cleanup on that spill can wait.

12. It’s too hot to wear gloves right now.

13. I forgot my safety gear, oh well.

14. My safety glasses are scratched, but too new to replace, so I’ll just not use them today.

15. I heard the new CE Code is long, I’m not going to read it.

16. If we post safety guidelines that will slow down work and be a distraction.

17. That’s not my mess over there, not my problem.

18. I’ve had this ladder for 25 years, I’m not replacing it.

19. My new (safety equipment) comes later this week. I can’t wait until it arrives to get working.

20. I’m young and invincible!

21. I can’t turn the power off, how will I see?

22. No time to test today.

23. My ears are already shot, what difference will it make?

24. I’ve been doing this for a year now, I can do this without any advice thank you.

25. I’ll be fine.

 

This article was first published online by Capital Tristate, the electrical distributor of choice in the USA’s Mid Atlantic Region.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Siemens to Establish Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery & EV Production in Canada

    Siemens to Establish Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery & EV Production in Canada

    May 26, 2025 Siemens will invest CAD $150 million over five years to establish a Global AI Manufacturing Technologies Research and Development (R&D) Center for Battery Production in Canada. The new R&D center, located initially at Siemens Canada’s head office in Oakville, as well as in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, will focus on developing cutting-edge AI manufacturing technologies with an initial emphasis… Read More…

  • Honda Postponing Ontario EV Supply Chain Investment by Two Years

    Honda Postponing Ontario EV Supply Chain Investment by Two Years

    May 26, 2025 Honda is postponing its plan to invest in a comprehensive EV supply chain in Ontario. The CBC reported that the investment is being push back by two years. “Due to the recent slowdown of the EV market, Honda Motor has announced an approximate two-year postponement of the comprehensive value chain investment project in Canada…. Read More…

  • Serge Leblanc Named Sonepar Canada Interim President

    Serge Leblanc Named Sonepar Canada Interim President

    May 26, 2025 George McClean, former President of Sonepar Canada, has decided to leave Sonepar for an opportunity outside of the electrical industry. Serge Leblanc, current President of Lumen Canada, has been appointed interim President of Sonepar Canada. Leblanc will manage both responsibilities until a successor is named.  Leblanc joined Lumen in 1997 and has… Read More…

  • Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Head to Queens Park to Advocate for Safer, More Inclusive Job Sites

    Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Head to Queens Park to Advocate for Safer, More Inclusive Job Sites

    May 26, 2025 On Monday, May 26, the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), will host its first-ever Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. Tradeswomen from across the province will gather to meet with Members of Provincial Parliament, including Minister of Labour David Piccini, to advocate for progress in the skilled trades for tradeswomen. OBCT’s top priorities include:… Read More…