Top 10 OSHA List of Most Cited Workplace Violations for 2012

December 19th, 2012. By AbiK

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced a preliminary list of the top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for 2012 (needless to say, as 2012 isn’t quite over yet, the list isn’t completely final, but it’s surely close).

OSHA’s top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for 2012 are as follows:

1. Fall Protection – 7,250 total violations – this includes failure to protect open sides and edges, failure to prevent falls from a roof, failure to cover holes or excavation areas such as a  well, pit, shaft, or similar excavation of 6 feet or more in depth. Proper guardrail systems, fences, barricades, or covers should be in place.

2. Hazard Communication – 4,696 total violations – this relates to the failure to provide adequate education and training programs, signage, labels on containers of hazardous materials, and safety data information.

3. Scaffolding – 3,814 total violations – Scaffolding topped OSHA’s list in 2011, but still remains high up on the list in 2012. Violations involving scaffolding pertain to scaffold construction, and use of protective guardrails, safety nets or other safety precautions, and violations pertaining to proper access to scaffolding.

4. Respiratory Protection – 2,371 total violations – respiratory protection violations include unsuitable respirators–either due to sizing/fit or inadequate function, and lack of procedures or training for how to use respirators.

5. Ladders – 2,310 total violations – this includes improper use of ladders (e.g., standing on the top step), use of an improper ladder for a particular job and allowing excessive loads on ladders.

6. Machine Guarding – 2,097 total violations  – this includes improper placement or inadequate anchoring for fixed machinery, or improper and unsafe exposures at the point-of-operation (e.g., unsafe exposure to machine blades)

7. Powered Industrial Trucks – 1,993 total violations – violations here include lack of proper repair and upkeep of vehicles to ensure safety; lack of proper training for operators–or refresher training as needed/required.

8. Electrical Wiring – 1,744 total violations – this includes everything from improper use of extension cords to use of temporary wiring instead of permanent wiring.

9. Lockout/Tagout – 1,572 total violations – this one was number five on OSHA’s list for 2011; it includes violations that occur due to lack of training and inspections for the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees.

10. Electrical (General) –  1,332 total violations – general electrical violations include instances of electrical shock or electrocution.

Tags: Employment, OSHA, Safety Violations, Workers Compensation, Workplace Safety

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