Most OSHA Violations Remain the Same, Sans One Addition
Last week, OSHA released its top 10 OSHA violations of 2018 list at the National Safety Congress in Houston, TX. The administration’s deputy director, Patrick Kapust, announced the results during the National Safety Council Congress and Expo.
“Typically we don’t see a lot of changes from year to year,” said Kapust. “We like to encourage employers to use it as a guide as to what they should look at in their workplace.”
Fall protection tops the list for the eighth year in a row. The top five violations also remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive year, which includes respiratory protection landing, again, at number four.
Related: Top 5 Respiratory Protection Citations From 2017
However, there is one newcomer on the list at #10. This is the first year that PPE has been ranked in OSHA’s top 10 violations, replacing Electrical Wiring Methods.
OSHA’s top 10 list is based on an estimated total of 32,266 violations from the fiscal year 2018. These violations were found only by the federal agency and precluded violations found by state enforcement agencies.
Kapust said during the presentation, “The Top 10 represents the most frequently cited standards, and they are a good place to start for the employer in identifying hazards in their own workplace.”
Here’s the full list:
1. Fall Protection – General Requirements
Standard: 1926.501
Number of Violations: 7,270
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 1
2. Hazard Communication
Standard: 1910.1200
Number of Violations: 4,552
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 2
3. Scaffolds – General Requirements
Standard: 1926.451
Number of Violations: 3,336
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 3
4. Respiratory Protection
Standard: 1910.134
Number of Violations: 3,118
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 4
5. Lockout/Tagout
Standard: 1910.147
Number of Violations: 2,944
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 5
6. Ladders
Standard: 1926.1053
Number of Violations: 2,812
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 6
7. Powered Industrial Trucks
Standard: 1910.178
Number of Violations: 2,294
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 7
8. Fall Protection
Standard: 1926.503
Number of Violations: 1,982
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 9
9. Machine Guarding
Standard: 1910.212
Number of Violations: 1,972
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: 8
10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection
Standard: 1926.95
Number of Violations: 1,536
OSHA Top 10 Violations 2017 Rank: Unranked
Respiratory Protection and Personal Protective Equipment are important standards in protecting employees against occupational health hazards such as chemicals and dust.
Related: NJ Pet Food Manufacturer Fined $152,829 by OSHA
Mobile Occupational Medicine
Worksite Medical can ensure that your job site is compliant with at least two of the most common OSHA violations.
We offer services including respiratory clearance & testing, PPE fit testing, heavy metals lab testing, and much more. Our mobile medical unit can come directly to your workplace for your convenience!
Call us at 1-844-OCCU-MED to schedule an appointment, or visit us online.