We are all familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration commonly referred to as OSHA. This federal agency is responsible for ensuring employers provide workers with a safe and healthful workplace. The agency is also charged with approving and monitoring State OSH plans. OSHA conducts inspections, often without advance notice, to ensure employers throughout the US are taking their responsibility seriously. In fact, according to OSHA, the agency is committed to strong, fair and effective enforcement of safety and health requirements in the workplace. There are roughly 2,300 OSHA inspectors tasked with ensuring the safety of 130 million workers employed at more than 8 million worksites around the nation.
OSHA recently published its list of 10 most frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2013 which runs October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. The list serves as an alert for employers about the commonly cited standards so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards, both with the cited standards and all others. It is a known fact that far too many workplace illnesses and injuries are preventable.
Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations
- Fall protection – 29 CFR 1926.501
- Hazard communication – Part 1910.1200
- Scaffolding – Part 1910.451
- Respiratory protection – Part 1910.134
- Electrical: wiring methods – Part 1910.305
- Powered industrial trucks – Part 1910.178
- Ladders – Part 1926.1053
- Lockout/tagout – Part 1910.147
- Electrical: systems design – Part 1910.303
- Machine guarding – Part 1910.212
Not much is new with the above list as there are few differences from the last couple of years. Also, it is no surprise that familiar violations occupied top spots once again this year. Indeed, this is the third year in a row where fall protection was cited as the #1 violation. Three of the 10 cited – fall protection, scaffolding and ladders are covered under the construction standard. This industry is known for being high hazard with a wide range of activities involving construction, alteration, and/or repair. Construction workers engage in many activities that can expose them to serious hazards. Some of these include falling from rooftops, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy equipment, electrocutions, and exposure to silica dust and asbestos. The main takeaway for employers and employees is to identify, reduce and eliminate work-related hazards and avoid problems down the line. Being proactive versus reactive allows employers and employees time to consider the big picture and address issues both short and long-term.
Stay tuned for further blogs in the OSHA Top Most Cited Violations series from Compliance Poster Company’s Research & Compliance Manager.