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OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards

January 23rd, 2023

In recent years, workplace safety initiatives and regulations have been implemented in nearly every industry across the United States. Still, some illnesses and injuries, both nonfatal and fatal, continue to occur at job sites in the U.S. Not all accidents happen in construction, warehouses, or factories. Sometimes workplace injuries occur in the office too. The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites by federal OSHA for all industries. Far too many preventable injuries, illnesses, and deaths occur in the workplace that are related to these top 10 cited standards.

1. Fall Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
2. Respiratory Protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
3. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
4. Hazard Communication, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)  
5. Scaffolding, construction (29 CFR 1926.451) 1,947
6. Fall Protection Training, construction (29 CFR 1926.503)
7. Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
8. Eye and Face Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.102)
9. Powered Industrial Trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
10. Machinery and Machine Guarding, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212)

What can you do to Minimize Frequently Cited Standards?

• Develop Written Safety Programs
  • Develop and maintain written safety programs covering the hazards to which employees may be exposed. OSHA requires written safety programs and looks to see that they’re reviewed and updated annually. Make sure they are available to all employees.
• Develop In Depth Safety Training
  • Both new hire and annual safety training should cover all the risks workers are exposed to on the job. Staff should be aware of the risks associated with their jobs, especially when working at heights, with hazardous chemicals, or with dangerous machinery.
• Provide Proper Tools and Equipment
  • Provide proper tools and equipment for the job. Many workers rely on their tools and equipment to get their work done safely. Unsafe tools and equipment can cause serious accidents.
• Provide Personal Protective Equipment
  • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment, or PPE, to workers. Employers are required to pay for and ensure that workers have the necessary PPE to do their jobs safely.

Be present and make safety a priority. Your personal attitude towards safety is the most important factor in preventing injuries. With every task, think about the right way to carry it out. Don’t take shortcuts!
 

Arek Myszka, Project Consultant at HRP Associates, Inc.