OSHA sets safety standards and regulations that are mandatory for employers to follow in order to protect their employees at work. Unfortunately, many employers violate these regulations, putting their workers at risk. Just last fiscal year, OSHA recorded thousands of violations, which shows that there is still a long way to go in terms of creating a safe working environment.
Every year, OSHA publishes a list of frequently cited OSHA violations to help employers understand the most common hazards in the workplace. This article will provide an overview of the top 10 most cited OSHA violations and ways to avoid them.
Comparing the Top OSHA Violation List
In 2022, OSHA recorded a total of 21,123 citations among the Top 10, which is a 5% increase from 2021 and the first year-over-year increase in citations in several years. The 10 items remained the same as the previous year, but their ranking changed. See below:
- Fall Protection, Construction - 5,915 violations (+11.71% vs. 2021)
- Hazard Communication, General Industry - 2,639 violations (+35.54% vs. 2021)
- Ladders, Construction - 2,449 violations (+20.88% vs. 2021)
- Respiratory Protection, General Industry - 2,412 violations (-4.55% vs. 2021)
- Scaffolding, Construction - 2,251 violations (+15.55% vs. 2021)
- Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), General Industry - 2,139 violations (+25.97% vs. 2021)
- Powered Industrial Trucks, General Industry - 1,896 violations (+33.52% vs. 2021)
- Fall Protection Training, Construction - 1,762 violations (+5.76% vs. 2021)
- Eye and Face Protection, Construction - 1,572 violations (+8.26% vs. 2021)
- Machinery and Machine Guarding, General Industry - 1,469 violations (+31.99% vs. 2021)
1. Fall Protection, Construction
The most common OSHA violation is the lack of fall protection, which includes scaffolds, ladders, and roofs. Fall protection is required when employees are working at a height of six feet or more. Employers can prevent fall-related injuries by:
- Ensuring workers have proper fall protection gear.
- Inspecting and replacing worn or damaged equipment regularly.
- Training workers on how to use and inspect fall protection equipment.
- Analyzing job sites for potential fall hazards and taking steps to eliminate or reduce risks.
- Implementing a comprehensive fall protection program, including hazard identification, training, and regular program reviews.
2. Hazard Communication, General Industry
OSHA's hazard communication standard (HCS) requires employers to inform workers about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. This includes labeling, safety data sheets, and employee training. Below are 5 tips employers can use to prevent HCS violations:
- Develop and implement a written hazard communication program that includes a list of hazardous chemicals present in the workplace and procedures for communicating chemical hazards to workers.
- Label all containers of hazardous chemicals, including secondary containers, with appropriate warning labels.
- Provide workers with access to safety data sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals they may come into contact with.
- Train workers on the hazards associated with the chemicals they work with, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Regularly review and update the hazard communication program to ensure it remains current and effective.
3. Ladders, Construction
Ladder violations occur when ladders are not properly secured, placed, or used. Employers can prevent ladder violations by providing appropriate ladders for the job, ensuring that ladders are inspected before use, and training workers on how to use ladders safely.
- Ensure that all ladders are in good condition, with no missing or broken rungs, rails, or feet.
- Train workers on the proper use of ladders, including how to inspect them for defects and how to set them up safely.
- Use ladders only for their intended purpose and never as a substitute for scaffolding or other types of work platforms.
- Conduct regular inspections of ladders to identify and address any defects or hazards.
- Implement a ladder safety program that includes procedures for identifying and addressing ladder hazards, training workers, and regularly reviewing and updating the program.
4. Respiratory Protection, General Industry
Employers must provide respiratory protection to workers who are exposed to harmful dust, fumes, or other airborne contaminants. Respiratory protection includes respirators, air-purifying devices, and air-supplying devices. Some tips to alert employers and prevent respiratory protection violations are as follows:
- Assess the workplace for potential respiratory hazards.
- Provide appropriate respiratory protection equipment.
- Train employees on the proper use and maintenance of equipment.
- Establish a written respiratory protection program.
- Regularly monitor workplace conditions for harmful airborne contaminants.
5. Scaffolding, Construction
Scaffolding safety violations are common in the construction industry. Employers must ensure that scaffolding is properly constructed and that workers are trained to use it safely. Employers can prevent scaffolding violations by:
- Ensuring all scaffolds are erected, dismantled, and maintained by qualified and competent workers.
- Conducting regular inspections of scaffolding to identify and address any defects or hazards. Inspection tags may be used to record and track this safety information.
- Training workers on the proper use of scaffolding and ensuring they understand how to inspect it for defects.
- Implementing a scaffold safety program that includes procedures for identifying and addressing scaffold hazards, training workers, and regularly reviewing and updating the program.
- Using only high-quality materials and components in the construction of the scaffolding.
6. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), General Industry
Lockout/tagout violations occur when machines or equipment are not properly shut down before maintenance or repair. This can lead to serious injuries or fatalities if the machine or equipment is accidentally turned on.
Every year, far too many work accidents occur as a result of unintentional machine startups. This preventable tragedy resulted in 50,000 reported incidents and 120 tragic fatalities. These tips could save your employees from the possible risks:
- Create a lockout tagout safety program.
- Make sure that all moving parts of the machine have stopped before conducting any repairs.
- Remove any electrical connection from the machine.
- Lock and tag each machinery.
- Use high-quality locks and readable tags for the machines and equipment.
7. Powered Industrial Trucks, General Industry
Powered industrial trucks such as forklifts and pallet jacks are commonly used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities. OSHA requires employers to provide training for workers who operate powered industrial trucks. Employers can prevent powered industrial truck violations by using workplace safety standards and ensuring:
- All workers operating industrial trucks are properly trained and authorized to do so.
- Trucks are regularly inspected.
- Trucks are used only by trained operators.
8. Fall Protection Training, Construction
Fall protection training violations occur when employers fail to keep fall protection training requirements for workers in the construction industry. Employers can prevent such training violations by:
- Conducting a hazard assessment to identify any potential fall hazards in the workplace.
- Providing appropriate personal protective equipment to employees based on the results of the hazard assessment.
- Training employees on the proper use, maintenance, and care of fall protection equipment.
- Establishing written fall protection systems that outline the procedures for selecting and using fall protection equipment, hazard identification, and training.
- Regularly inspecting fall protection equipment to ensure that it is in good condition and functioning properly.
9. Eye and Face Protection, Construction
Every year, 800,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace. Eye and face protection violations occur when employers fail to provide appropriate eye and face protection equipment for workers who are exposed to flying debris, chemicals, or other hazards. Employers can prevent eye and face protection violations by following these tips:
- Make sure to have high-grade eye and face protection.
- Put precautionary and reminder signages on the workplace.
- Ensure that there is no shortage of eye and face protection for the workers.
- Create awareness for this particular risk.
- Engage in educating employees the importance of having eye and face protection.
10. Machinery and Machine Guarding, General Industry
Machine guarding violations occur when machines are not properly guarded to prevent worker contact with hazardous parts. Each year, approximately 800 people die and 18,000 workers suffer amputation, laceration, crushing, and abrasion injuries due to a lack of machine guards.
When operating machinery, machine guards are the first line of defense against potential accidents caused by machine malfunctions. Here are some tips to prevent these machine guarding violations:
- Make sure that machine guards are not faulty.
- Do not forget to put on guards after machine maintenance.
- Do a check-up on machine guards from time to time.
- If necessary, change guards after a period of time.
- Rely on heavy-duty guard locks for the machines.
FAQs About OSHA Violations
Q: What are the most common OSHA violations?
A: The most common OSHA violations are lack of fall protection, hazard communication standard violations, scaffolding violations, and respiratory protection standard violations, lockout/tagout violations, ladder violations, machine guarding violations, electrical violations, and powered industrial truck violations.
Q: How can employers prevent OSHA violations?
A: Employers can prevent OSHA violations by training requirements, providing appropriate training, identifying workplace hazards, and following OSHA regulations.
Q: What are the consequences of OSHA violations?
A: OSHA violations can result in serious injuries or fatalities, as well as hefty fines and legal liabilities for employers.
Q: Why is it important for employers to prioritize workplace safety now?
A: Prioritizing occupational safety is important for employers to create a safe and healthy work environment for their workers and to prevent OSHA violations.