Do you know? OSHA’s 10 most common violations
Recently, OSHA released its annual list of its top 10 most frequently violated standards. For fiscal year 2015 (Oct. 1, 2014 – Sept. 30, 2015), the list is as follows:
Most common violations: failure to wear fall protection; unprotected sides and edges.
2. 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication
Most common violations: failure to maintain a written program; inadequate employee training; failure to maintain or provide employees with access to safety data sheets; improper labeling of containers.
Most common violations: improper scaffold construction; lack of guardrails; failure to comply with point of access requirements.
4. 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
Most common violations: failure to maintain a written program; failure to conduct required medical evaluations; failure to comply with fit test requirements.
Most common violations: failure to implement an energy control program; failure to develop, document, and use energy control procedures; inadequate employee training; failure to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures.
6. 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks
Most common violations: failure to ensure that operators are properly certified; inadequate operator training; failure to provide refresher training and evaluation; failure to remove trucks from service when repairs are necessary.
Most common violations: using damaged or defective ladders; excessive loads; using the top or top step of stepladders as a step.
8. 1910.305 – Electrical, Wiring Methods
Most common violations: improper use of flexible cords and cables; uninsulated wiring; non-compliant temporary wiring; unused openings in electrical cabinets.
9. 1910.212 – Machine Guarding
Most common violations: point of operation exposure; removal of guards; failure to anchor fixed machinery.
10. 1910.303 – Electrical, General Requirements
Most common violations: improper installation or use of equipment; blocked electrical panels.
This list is largely unchanged from 2014. Indeed, the only difference is the inversion of numbers of 5 and 6.
Since there is no variation in the categories of violations, and if these are the violations continue to occur year after year with the most frequency, a deeper examination of each is warranted. So, beginning next week, we’ll examine in depth what each of these standards requires. Come back next Wednesday for a look at Standard 1910.303, Electrical, General Requirements.