Resources to Help You Avoid OSHA’s Top 10 Most-Cited Violations

Resources to Help You Avoid OSHA’s Top 10 Most-Cited Violations

OSHA’s list of the top 10 most frequently cited violations hasn’t changed much in the past years.

But, according to Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, the list still comes in handy for employers to use as a guide for evaluating their own worksites.

For the fourth year in a row fall protection took the top spot, totaling 7,516 violations. Here’s the full list, plus ways to keep safest top-of-mind-for each violation:

1. Fall Protection in Construction

Standard: 1926.501

Violations: 7,516

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Every year in American workplaces there are approximately 300,000 injuries and 1,300 deaths from falls.

Online safety training solution:

Fall Protection

Although it doesn’t specifically apply to standard 1926.501, this Fall Protection safety training course does cover fall hazard recognition, fall protection systems, fall dynamics, and fall arrest systems. It’s content meets regulatory training standards for 1926.503; Part 1910 Subpart D, Section 1910.23; and 1910.22.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Fall Arrest Systems

Safety Tip Video: Fall Protection & Prevention

2. Hazard Communication

Standard: 1910.1200

Violations: 6,148

The purpose of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is to standardize how we communicate about chemical hazards in the workplace. OSHA has adapted its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the Globally Harmonized System.

The GHS is estimated to prevent over 500 workplace injuries and illnesses and 43 fatalities annually, and result in cost savings to American businesses of more than $475 million in productivity improvements, fewer safety data sheet and label updates, and simpler new hazard communication training.

Online safety training solution:

Hazard Communication (GHS)

This Hazard Communication (GHS) safety training course fulfills training requirements for standard 1910.1200. It introduces the Hazard Communication Standard and how hazards are determined, and discusses safety data sheets, labels and warnings, health hazards, and employee information and training.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Understanding GHS Labels

3. Scaffolding in Construction

Standard: 1926.451

Violations: 4,968

OSHA reports that scaffolding accidents attribute to an estimated 9,000 injuries and 79 fatalities annually. The dangers of working at heights are obvious for most workers, but for those who routinely perform work high above ground, basic safety precautions may be taken for granted. As with any work in high-risk environments, awareness and preparedness are essential for working safely.

Online safety training solution:

Scaffold Safety

Satisfying 1926.451 training regulations, plus standards 1926.450and 1926.452, this Scaffold Safety training course brings employees up-to-speed with scaffold hazards, safety requirements, fall protection, scaffold inspection, and aerial lifts.

Additional safety resources:

Blog Post: Don’t Fall For Scaffolding Safety Shortcuts

4. Respiratory Protection

Standard: 1910.134

Violations: 3,843

Your lungs are pretty important. So are your kidneys, liver and brain. But if your job exposes you to hazardous airborne contaminants, these organs and others are at risk for disease and illness. Respiratory protection helps prevent around 4,000 illnesses and 900 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Online safety training solution:

Respiratory Protection

This Respiratory Protection training course covers respiratory hazards; respirator qualifications, selections and use; and respirator emergencies.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Respiratory Protection

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5. Powered Industrial Trucks

Standard: 1926.501

Violations: 3,147

Powered industrial trucks are associated with special risks because of the unique utility of these vehicles. Frequently, they are used for tasks in work environments that are already considered high-risk, so they add to the list of cautions on worksites for many different professions.

Online safety training solution:

Powered Industrial Truck Safety

With information on powered industrial trucks (PITs) and the hazards associated with them, as well as guidance on safe operation and maintenance, this Powered Industrial Truck training course gets employees on the right track for operating PITs.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Forklift Safety

6. Lockout/Tagout

Standard: 1910.147

Violations: 3,117

To protect you from the serious hazards posed by the unexpected start-up or operation of equipment during repair or maintenance, the OSHA has established a Control of Hazardous Energy standard. It is commonly referred to as the lockout/tagout (LOTO). This standard requires the application of markings and barriers that prevent unauthorized persons from energizing and operating equipment.

According to Environmental Health & Safety News, compliance with the lockout/tagout standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year.

Online safety training solution:

Lock and Tag

This Lock and Tag training course covers the 1910.147 standard for the control of hazardous energy. Content encompasses lockout/tagout requirements and procedures, hazardous energy sources, and employee roles and responsibilities.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Lockout and Tagout

7. Ladders in Construction

Standard: 1926.1053

Violations: 2,967

In the U.S., falls from ladders result in 160,000 injuries and 300 deaths each year.

Online safety training solution:

Ladders, Platforms, Step Bolts, and Manhole Steps

This training course covers the construction industry’s 1926 Subpart X: 1926.1053 regulation. Titled Ladders, Platforms, Step Bolts, and Manhole Steps, the course teaches safe practices in all fours areas.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Ladder Safety

8. Electrical – Wiring Methods

Standard: 1910.305

Violations: 2,907

Approximately 230 electrical-related fatalities occur each year. In one study, the National Institute for Occupation Safety & Health (NIOSH) found that 61% of electrocutions occur in two occupation divisions- craftsmen and laborers.

Online safety training solution:

Electrical Safety

This Electrical Safety training course doesn’t directly address regulatory standard 1910.305, but it still offers vital information on basic principles of electricity, primary electrical hazards, safety controls, and emergency response.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Arc Flash Prevention

9. Machine Guarding

Standard: 1910.212

Violations: 2,520

Machines that are not properly safeguarded can cause serious injury, such as crushed or severed fingers, hands and arms, eye injuries, and even blindness.

According to OSHA, approximately one-half of all workplace amputations occur in the manufacturing sector.

Online safety training solution:

Machine Guarding

Covering standard 1910.212, as well as a long list of other standards, this Machine Guarding training course comprises of information on mechanical hazards, safeguarding requirements, machine safeguards, and user requirements.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Machine Guarding

10. Electrical – General Requirements

This standard covers guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from hazards, including those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.

Standard: 1910.303

Violations: 2,427

Online safety training solution:

General Concepts 1910.269

Although this General Concepts training course doesn’t fulfill standard 1910.303, it does provide important information on general electrical concepts like the definition of terms, descriptions of equipment, and safety policies and processes.

Additional safety resources:

Safety Tip Video: Safe Practices for Extension Cord Use

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