2017 OSHA’s Top 10 Violations Announced

It is that time of year again–the time when the National Safety Council announces OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations.  Although the number of violations will not be finalized until December, the counts are not expected to affect the list of top ten violations.

Fall protection remains in the top spot with most citations involving the construction industry.  Unprotected edges and failure to provide fall protection on low pitched roofs account for the majority of citations.  Failure to provide safety data sheets (SDS) for chemicals and products used makes hazard communication the second most cited standard yet again.   Scaffolding, respiratory protection and lockout/tagout round out the top five citations with most violations caused by the lack of training and program implementation.

The new standard to the list is Fall Protection – Training Requirements, which made its debut at number nine and replaced electrical general requirements.  Could the updated walking-working surfaces and fall protection standard account for the increase of fall protection citations?

According to an OSHA Fact Sheet, “the rule adds a requirement that employers ensure workers who use personal fall protection and work in other specified high hazard situations are trained, and retrained as necessary, about fall and equipment hazards, including fall protection systems. A qualified person must train these workers to correctly: identify and minimize fall hazards; use personal fall protection systems and rope descent systems; and maintain, inspect, and store equipment or systems used for fall protection.”

2017 OSHA Top Ten Most Cited Violations

  1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 6,072 violations
  2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 4,176
  3. Scaffolding (1926.451): 3,288
  4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 3,097
  5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,877
  6. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,241
  7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,162
  8. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,933
  9. Fall Protection – Training Requirements: 1,523
  10. Electrical – Wiring Methods (1910.305): 1,405

Keep Your Employees Safe and Avoid Costly Fines. Make Sure All New Hires Are Properly Trained Before Working Alone, and Make Sure Employees Attend Annual Refresher Training to Stay Up to Date on OSHA Standard Changes.

Have Questions? Call an SRP Safety Consultant Today at (866) 222-4972.  

Source: National Safety Council, 

http://www.nsc.org/Connect/NSCNewsReleases/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=241