The top ten most frequently cited workplace safety violations for FY 2014 was presented by Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo in San Diego, according to www.inddist.com. The fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2014.
OHC has added some additional questions for you to self audit your programs and workplace safety to avoid being another number and statistic for the 2015 Fiscal Report.
1. Fall protection in construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
Total violations: 6,143
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Failing to provide fall protection to employees working at heights
2. Unprotected sides and edges
3. Failing to use fall protection equipment correctly
4. Failing to provide protection from falling objects.
Do you offer a fall protection program?
Most frequent violators:
Roofing contractors
Framing contractors
Single-family residential construction employers
2. Hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)Total violations: 5,161
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Failing to have a written program
2. Failing to have safety data sheets (SDSs) for each chemical in the workplace
3. Labeling mistakes
4. Lack of employee training
5. Failing to provide employees with information on the hazards of the chemicals in the workplace.
Do you provide employee HazCom program and training?
3. Scaffolding in construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
Total violations: 4,029
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Scaffolds that are not fully planked
2. Lack of portable or hook ladders to access scaffold platform
3. Loading scaffolds in excess of their capacity
4. Failing to protect employees from fall hazards on scaffolds.
4. Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134)
Total violations: 3,223
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Lack of a written respiratory protection program
2. Not performing a medical evaluation on employees who must wear respirators
3. Failing to select and provide a respirator appropriate for the activity
4. Failing to conduct fit testing
5. Failing to train employees
Do you have a written and visible respiratory protection program?
Do you provide respiratory protection training?
Do you conduct fit testing?
5. Lockout/Tagout (29 CFR 1910.147)
Total violations: 2,704
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Complete lack of a hazardous energy control program
2. Failing to apply locks and tags as necessary
3. Failing to remove unauthorized employees from the area during equipment service and maintenance
Do you offer a hazardous energy protection program?
Do you provide lockout/tagout training?
6. Powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)
Total violations: 2,662
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Lack of operator training
2. Forklifts that are not in safe operating condition
3. Forklift modifications and additions that are not approved by the manufacturer
Do you offer a operator training program?
Do you consult with with forklift and equipment manufactures before any modification are made?
Most frequent violators:
Warehousing
Storage Facilities
Machine Shops
7. Electrical, wiring methods (29 CFR 1910.305)
Total violations: 2,490
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Flexible cords are used in place of fixed wiring
2. Conductors enter boxes unprotected
3. Employees are exposed to live contacts
4. Circuit boxes are not designed to prevent moisture from entering
8. Ladders in construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
Total violations: 2,448
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Using a ladder not designed for the load it is carrying
2. Using extension ladders that do not provide enough overhang at the top to ensure stability
3. Using an inappropriate type of ladder for the job
9. Machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212)
Total violations: 2,200
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Not having or not maintaining guards at point of operation
2. Not ensuring guards remain in place
3. Making sure guards are not removed by employees
10. Electrical, general requirements (29 CFR 1910.303)
Total violations: 2,056
Common mistakes under this standard:
1. Lack of ensuring qualified and unqualified workers are properly trained for their specific job tasks to avoid electric shock and electrocution.
Do you provide specific on the job training and safety instruction as it pertains to equipment and function?
The final report on the top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations will be published in the December issue of the NSC’s Safety+Health magazine.
If you need any more information on your workplace safety or you need a work-site audit and evaluation please contact OHC at ddaniel@occupationalhc.com or call 251.436.8039.
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RESOURCES & LINKS
http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/11136-osha-announces-top-10-most-cited-violations-for-2014
http://www.nsc.org/Pages/OSHA%E2%80%99s-Top-10-Violations-for-2014-announced-at-National-Safety-Council-Congress–Expo.aspx
http://www.nrca.net/RoofingNews/osha-announces-top-10-workplace-safety-violations-for-2014.9-22-2014.3535/Details/Story
http://safety.blr.com/workplace-safety-news/safety-administration/OSHA-and-state-safety-compliance-enforcement/OSHA-announces-top-10-violations-for-FY-2014/
