PERTH, Australia (TheBlaze/AP) — The dance craze the “Harlem Shake” might have been taken too far — again. In an incident last week, the Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation into the dance that occurred on a plane in flight. Now, an Australian newspaper reports up to 15 miners have been fired for performing the “Harlem Shake” underground in a gold mine.

(Image: YouTube screenshot)
The West Australian newspaper reports the miners lost their six-figure salaries over the stunt in the Agnew Gold Mine last week.
Here’s a news report regarding the incident from 7 News Perth showing footage of the miner’s version of the viral fad (Note: Some suggestive dance moves):
A dismissal letter cited by the paper says mine owner Barminco considered the stunt a safety issue. Barminco did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
A YouTube video shows eight miners performing the convulsive dance. A sacked worker who wouldn’t give his name told the newspaper that up to 15 people were fired, including some who watched the performance but did not participate.
Up to 4,000 videos of “Harlem Shake” variations are uploaded on the Internet daily. It’s not the first time the Harlem Shake has been filmed by people on the job either. Here are a few ‘Shake’ videos made in the workplace:
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Comments (55)
54smom
Mar. 4, 2013 at 6:05pmon their own time in their own place. Whats the deal with stripping is that part of the dance?? Sorry cruel as it may seem at the very least, suspended for awhile. If someone had gotten hurt mine would definetly been sued. Its the pits, but as a business you don’t have much choice.
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Beachbaby
Mar. 4, 2013 at 3:43pmProbably the head dude does the same thing. Why would men act like this? I think they are weird, stupid and should be fired or entombed. Grow up Bozos. Grow up skankmongers. The world needs men. Hello.
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Elena2010
Mar. 4, 2013 at 5:28pmMen seldom “grow up.” They remain “hairy-legged boys” most of their lives. Their toys are more expensive and louder than little boy toys, but the toys do bear a striking resemblance to little boy toys. Even the oldest of them enjoy “bathroom humor.” Men are NOT women, so don’t expect them to act maturely at all times as an adult. Just try to keep them safe and fm hurting themselves grievously.
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Johndeer
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:18pmHow do you write woman so well? I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability.
As Good As it Get’s
Jack Nicholson
People who speak in metaphors should shampoo my crotch.
–Jack Nicholson
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Wisdom7
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:44pm@Elena
Are you a man hater? I worked in an office of all women before. I can honestly say that women are just as bad, and the “bathroom humor” just as bad.
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zgomer
Mar. 4, 2013 at 2:03pmWho cares.
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mrstacysdad
Mar. 4, 2013 at 12:51pmThey weren’t getting paid “six-figure” salaries to dick around in a mine. They can blow off steam on their own time. Under ground with all that heavy equipment operating offers enough of a chance for a catastrophe.
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Frederick_Douglass_Republican
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:49amThe mine owners are first in line to be targeted for legal and financial destruction when something goes wrong in a mine. Mines are 100% danger 100% of the time.
Miners acting like brain damaged monkeys to make a youtube video IN the mine? Once the video went on line the mine company had no choice.
Fired for acting like brain damaged monkeys. Even monkeys don’t act like that. Monkeys have more class than that. Maybe they’ll grow a brain. Doubt it. See a monkey act like a monkey. Look at November 6 2012.
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drattastic
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:08amNo warning , just fired ? That is harsh.
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Walkabout
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:31amI think it is harsh.
There is PTSD & there is chronic stress. Chronic stress from worrying about a cave in for example. Have psychologists studied the effects of chronic stress like they do PTSD.
So is this a result of stress, some guys blowing off steam, or just lax management?
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Tyler520
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:51amThese people are on the job, being paid 6 figure salaries to work in a dangerous environment that requires constant vigilance…they aren’t being paid to f@#k around.
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The Big Mick
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:51amI can’t help but think a “dance” called “The Augusta Shake” or the “Gary Indiana Shake” wouldn’t have been so effn popular.
Observe comrades, the entire freakin WORLD thinks it’s just got to act like the GangstaHomie Hood.
The “n!&&#Ring” of the Global Culture Continues.
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:21amWhat do you know about Harlem? Apparently not a damned thing. Let me clue you in on something. Dancing isn’t all that “gangsta.” Also, Harlem’s ethnic make up isn’t majority black. It’s now majority Hispanic and White.
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Kisses6350
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:54amThe N#%$#ring of global culture? Wow! I guess you would know, being the n%^^$r that you are. The definition of the word is an ignorant person. That being said, your comment was n#$$%^ish,
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davidwjohnson
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:42amNo wonder politicians can control the masses. Monkey see, monkey do.
I suppose if enough people watch rhesus monkeys masterbate, then we would eventually see the “Rhesus Jerk” sweeping the nation.
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:22amI don’t get what people like you have against adults just blowing off steam and having a little fun.
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demsrtraitors
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:41amshaking like you have some virus eating your brain is some how fun? my god what’s next? making it a fad to crap in your pants. Mankind should reject this nonsense.
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catty
Mar. 4, 2013 at 1:45pmTed Nugent tried to start that craze and it just didn’t take off.
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DontDoubtMyDough
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:30am@SpankDaMonkey and ppl that think like him!
lynchings, beatings, castrations, and more lynchings. It almost surpasses human understanding, how a people can be so socially despised, and yet artistically esteemed so degraded, and yet culturally influential so ostracized, and yet a dominant editorial force in American life – Alain Locke …. Wake up you are not the only ones here …like America you will soon be the minority on this site! Your way of thinking is dying a slow but steady death…The day of the Geechee is over!
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usedCZARsalesman
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:15amhuh? I literally understood ZERO of what you just said.
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Kisses6350
Mar. 4, 2013 at 1:44pmTranslater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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RaydocX
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:13amso much for Australians being an easy going people.
considering the conditions they work in i would grant the miners a wee bit of leeway so long as safety wasn’t risked.
it seems dangerously close to the IT nazis in too many work environments, denying workers use of the net for personal issues even when they are on break or when all work is caught up, only worse, because instead of making it an unpleasant work environment these miners were FIRED for having some fun.
show me where it hurt the company’s bottom line for the day or where it put the miners or others at risk and I’ll reconsider. Otherwise, it’s an example of big brother at a corporate level, and whether it’s your boss or your government, such behavior by those in charge is unacceptable.
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iratd
Mar. 4, 2013 at 1:39pmWell stated.
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Budrow
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:02amIt’s no damned wonder gold prices are as high as they are! Get rid of the entertainment underground and gold could be back to $45 an ounce.
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PDfromToledo
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:01amA bit overkill I’d say … workplace fun it apparently a no no down under in down under.
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:22amExactly. I don’t see who them simply dancing as shown in the video was a safety violation.
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CulperGang
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:57amWhat safety hazard?There is none. Couple of guys having a laugh SO WHAT? The real problem is CONTROL FREAK BUREAUCRATS; they are the “safety hazard.” Repression which is what these bureaucrats are doing is dangerous because it causes “mental stress.” When mental stress manifest it is ALWAY DANGEROUS. These asshat control freak bureaucrats are mean spirited ignorant baffoons for CAUSING STRESS. Nothing more stressful than a work place where there is no levity, no spontanaety. EVERY ONE SHOULD QUIT OUT OF PROTEST. If these guys would have felt unsafe they would not have done this. What these stuffedf shirts are suggesting is that “adults are putting themselves in danger” because they are are morons. BS. The dance is vulgar but, dance has been that way since the ’70,too late to make that an issue. In some cases a pack mentality is GOOD especially at a work place where it takes more than one person to do the task. Corporations = dictatorship on a small scale. Corporations = destructive on a large scale.
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naughtycal
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:35amMines are no palce to be joking around in every second underground is dangersous. You want to joke around do it like adults at the bar after work.. More over these miners can now do the real Harlem shuffle at their local welfare office.
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:27amnaughtycal: Yeah because simply dancing put lives at risk…
If these MINDERS didn’t have a problem with it why the hell should YOU?
You guys are some of the most uptight ‘conservatives’ I’ve ever seen in my life.
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naughtycal
Mar. 4, 2013 at 12:01pmSEARCH,
If something happened while these guy were goofy off WHO BARES THE LIABILITY THAT LIBERAL LAWYERS WILL SURELY SUE FOR….THE MINERS? NO THE BUSINESS. More over you’re paying some six figures how the hell would you feel about paying them to do this crap.
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Xiccarph
Mar. 4, 2013 at 12:51pmToo bad all the “being paid six figures” complaints isn’t applied as harshly and as “zero tolerance-like” towards the six and seven figure types in government who may not be caught dancing on the job but are infinitely more dangerous and worthless. Just sayin’….
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Z
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:55amSeriously! Dumb asses no doubt, but fire them? What a stupid move on all parties involved
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Listen_then_think
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:52amNever seen one, never will. If there are 4K everyday loaded on the net, why make one?
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Cavallo
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:36amShould have cleared it with the supervisor as a PR promotion. On the bright side.. Job openings! 6 figure salaries!
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redfish52
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:44amI would have fired all of them too..they are not being paid to pull this kind of dumb **** while they need to be working “safely”. Just as I hope the new boss at YAHOO fires all those that don’t comply to her new rules…oh I’m more productive at home…well lets just see how productive you are behind a desk at headquarters first and then I’ll be the judge of that…
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gyro
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:53amred fish peged it right
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biohazard23
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:36amI don’t get it. WTF is this “fad” Shake thingy anyway? I’m not THAT old (hello, 70′s punk and 80′s New Wave!) but I just don’t…
Ah, never mind. Where’s Taylor Swift and those screaming goats again?
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CulperGang
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:02amIt is called “FUNNING” wtf is there to get? LIGHTEN UP EVERYBODY.
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shorelineliz
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:33amThese guys work in a gold mine and want to blow off some steam and they get sacked for it? What a bunch of thin skinned Australians. Stupid Australians.
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stopprintn
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:33amAnd they can’t even go hunting during their time off. Because they allowed the Gubment to take the guns. Sad!
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CulperGang
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:13amAnybody see that “asian mentality” of mindless robot, lack of spontanatey being forced on western FREE THINKING spontaneous people, by CORPORATIONS WHO RUN THE GOVERNMENT?
People ARE being conditioned into being souless robots. It reminds me of Maos China where everyone wore the same clothing NO smiles, no FUN, just adoration to that fat old pervert.
That spokes woman for the company looks like an iceberg so does the guy.
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Walkabout
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:06amI am thinking along the lines of Culper.
It is hard to find people who want to work in a mine. If people who get over their fear of those working conditions have a little fun, what is the harm? They could have been reprimanded and fired for a 2nd offense. This 1 time & you are toast discipline when no one got hurt or possible could get hurt is draconian.
Tourists go to Poland to see the Underground sculptures made by miners. Under current culture enforced by lawyers prevailed back then those sculptures would not have been made.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine
I understand that if anyone went off script then the organization would be sued. Somehow we need to strike a middle ground.
The nudity did bug me. Why do you have to get nude when you dance?
Also the people who did not intervene got fired also. What could they have done? If they inform management and if management does nothing, they will be facing payback. From a game theory standpoint there are no good options.
Last, I expect a lot of very bad social fallout since these miners got fired. Society will pay a high price. Sure their income dropped drastically. but they are not an island. Contagion.
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SpankDaMonkey
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:27am.
I keep trying to tell ya’ll anything Black Oriented is a threat to your Religion, Health, Wallet, and now your Job…..
White People Stop Acting like the Free Lunch Slaves PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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226crimsontrace
Mar. 4, 2013 at 10:04amBullseye, you nailed my sentiments on the head. I feel sorry for those uncomfortable in their own skin
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The Big Mick
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:26amAh the price of ones “fifteen minutes of fame”.
To tell you the Truth, I find these kinds of Herd/Pack/Hive Mind Mentality behaviors contemptible.
Go back to Junior High you worthless excuses for adults.
I HATE the Collective and all manifestations of it, of which this SHEITE is a primary.
The only GROUP behavior I have interested in is AMERICAN REVOLUTION v3.0.
You want to take Collective Action? Go to the barricades, bring ammo!
Morons!
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huey6367
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:23amThe newest dance craze that will go away very soon. Remember Gangnam Style? I don’t either.
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THX-1138
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:13amPSY does; he made millions from it (then again it does take a sense of humor and some curiosity to get the point of the video).
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:21amQuite: (Note: Some suggestive dance moves)
Seriously? Is that even necessary? It’s a dance… Is the writer/editor of this article a old prude?
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13th Imam
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:41amThe editor didn’t fire them. The mine owner must be a islamic cleric.
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:17amAre you intentionally trying to ignore the line added by The Blaze calling the dance suggestive..?
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:19amHey, number one, it wasn’t break time. Number two, that dance was not sanctioned by the union, and voted on exactly how long the dance would go for. Number three, real miners don’t dance.
Rule to live by, don’t dance at work unless you get paid by men stuffing dollar bills in your g-string.
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Jenny Lind
Mar. 4, 2013 at 9:34amwell said!
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searcher619
Mar. 4, 2013 at 11:25amOkay I just want to be clear here. You are fine with men stuffing dollar bills down your underwear but not with women doing the same to you? O.o?
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