I’ve noticed quite a few YouTube videos that spoof the shocking safety videos released by the WSIB in Ontario.
You won’t find any links to these spoof videos in this post, but you can go ahead and search for them on YouTube if you are curious.
Be warned that these amateur videos are pretty silly – with swearing, bad language, and outrageous behaviour that generally mocks the health and safety message.
Depending on your sense of humour, you may or may not find them funny. Actually, I picture some safety professionals being very offended by this mocking (so I better not admit that some of them made me giggle). But in all seriousness, I’m wondering why people like to make jokes about these serious safety topics.
Do the spoof-video makers think the videos “over-do” the safety message by using too much drama?
Do they think our culture – with its mandatory helmet laws and cell phone bans for drivers – is getting too focused on safety? Or do they think they are invincible and unlikely to be in an accident at work?
I imagine the spoof video makers are using their own sense of humour as a way to process information they find too disturbing. Chances are, they keep the safety message in mind and take it to work with them, but they make their spoof videos to enjoy the relief that comes with laughter.
What do you think? Why do people make these spoof safety videos?
