It’s a new year, and job-site safety is just as important as ever. To keep you, your employees, and on-site workers safe, please look at lessons learned from OSHA safety data in 2022. These were the most often cited violations of OSHA codes for the year in review.
FALL PROTECTION – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
In 2022, the most frequently cited violation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was the “FALL PROTECTION – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS” standard (1926.501), with a total of 5,260 recorded violations. This standard addresses the need for fall protection in the workplace. It specifies the appropriate systems to use in different situations, the proper construction, and installation of these systems, and the supervision of employees to prevent falls. It applies to walking-working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge above 6 feet and demands protecting workers from falls.
HAZARD COMMUNICATION
The Hazard Communication Standard is a workplace safety regulation that requires employers to inform employees about any hazardous exposure to chemicals in the workplace. The standard also requires employers to develop and maintain written programs that describe how they will communicate information about hazardous chemicals to their employees. This standard accumulated 2,682 citations, with the most common violations due to employers failing to develop and implement written hazard communication programs, provide employees with adequate information and training on hazardous chemicals, and maintain Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
LADDERS
The Ladders Standard is a workplace safety regulation that covers general requirements for all ladders used in the workplace. The standard has been cited for 2,471 violations. The most common violations dealt with employers failing to ensure ladder side rails extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface when portable ladders are used for access. Using ladders only for the purpose they were designed and not using the top step of a stepladder is crucial for ladder safety. Other common violations include using portable ladders with structural defects and using non-self-supporting ladders at an angle that does not meet the specified requirements.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 1910.134, entitled “Respiratory Protection,” codifies requirements for employers to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program. The standard covers program administration, worksite-specific procedures, respirator selection, employee training, fit testing, medical evaluation, respirator use, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. The standard also lists the top five sections cited for violations, including the requirement for a medical evaluation to determine an employee’s ability to use a respirator, fit testing requirements, and the need to establish a written respiratory protection program. This standard had 2,430 total violations, ranking it 2nd in terms of the number of violations.
SCAFFOLDING
OSHA has a standard that covers general safety requirements for scaffolding. Employers must protect construction workers from falls and falling objects while working on or near scaffolding at heights of 10 feet or higher. There was a total of 1,943 violations of this standard.
The Top Five Sections Cited for Scaffolding Violations
- Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level.
- Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates, mud sills, or other adequate firm foundations.
- When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access, workers must use specific ladders and other devices.
- Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds must be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports.
- Guardrail systems must meet requirements.
LOCKOUT/TAGOUT
Workplace safety is of utmost importance, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict standards to protect workers from hazards. The standard outlined in 1910.147, also known as the “Lockout/Tagout” standard, covers the minimum performance requirements for controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. There was a total of 1,670 violations of this standard. The top reasons for citation were energy control procedure, training and communication, periodic inspection, and protective materials and hardware. Employers must take these requirements seriously and ensure their workplaces are safe for all employees. Failing to do so can result in serious injuries or even fatalities. Employers must prioritize compliance with OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout standard to protect the well-being of their workers.
POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS
Powered industrial trucks, such as forklifts and motorized hand trucks, are essential for many industries. However, their operation can pose significant hazards if not properly maintained and used. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a standard, 1910.178, that covers the design, maintenance, and operation of these trucks and operator training requirements. There was a total of 1,404 violations of this standard. Employers must ensure compliance with this standard to protect the safety of their workers and prevent accidents.
FALL PROTECTION – TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Fall protection is a critical safety measure for workers in many industries, and employers are required by federal law to provide training on fall hazards and prevention. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s standard 1926.503 addresses training requirements for fall protection, and the agency cited 1,778 violations of this standard.
The top five sections cited within the standard pertain to the provision of training programs, written certification records, ensuring that a competent person has trained employees, retraining when necessary, and using fall protection systems or equipment. Employers who fail to comply with these requirements may face penalties and put their employees at risk of serious injury or death.
It is essential for employers to prioritize fall protection training and ensure that all employees are adequately trained to recognize hazards and minimize the risk of falls. By following the guidelines outlined in 1926.503, employers can help prevent falls and keep their workers safe.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE AND LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT – EYE AND FACE PROTECTION
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s standard 1926.102 pertains to personal protective and lifesaving equipment for eye and face protection. One thousand five hundred eighty-two violations of this standard were cited. The top four sections cited within this standard relate to the use of appropriate eye or face protection for workers, the requirement for eye protection with side protection for flying objects, the use of prescription lenses in eye protection, and the selection of shade numbers for welding filters. Employers who fail to comply with these requirements may face penalties and put their employees at risk of injury.
MACHINE GUARDING
Machine guarding is a crucial safety measure to protect workers from hazards in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s standard 1910.212 covers the guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from potential dangers. This standard was cited with 1,488 violations.
The top five sections cited within the standard relate to the types of guarding required, point of operation guarding, the anchoring of fixed machinery, general requirements for machine guards, and the exposure of blades. Employers who fail to comply with these requirements may face penalties and put their employees at risk of injury.
Employers must implement effective machine guarding and ensure that all machinery is adequately guarded to protect workers. By following the guidelines outlined in 1910.212, employers can help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Be Safe, Be Mindful and Look out for each other.
