Take a look at the
most frequently cited OSHA regulations resulting from last year's inspections
of jobsites by federal OSHA. Even though many of these regulations don’t
correlate exactly with fall protection, highlighting them will hopefully shine
a light on the sheer volume of potentially harmful workplace actions that take
place every year. The combined
violations relating to fall protection make up for 16,207 of
the 40,560 total citations (that's almost 40%!), showing just
how focused OSHA is on ensuring the safety of those who work at heights.
Below are top
10 most frequently cited OSHA regulations:
1. FALL PROTECTION (OSHA STANDARD: 1926.500) - TOTAL #
OF VIOLATIONS: 7,516
This standard outlines
where fall protection is required, which systems should be used for given
situations, the proper construction and installation of safety systems, and the
proper supervision of employees to prevent falls. It is designed to protect employees
on walking/working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge above six feet.
2. HAZARD COMMUNICATION (OSHA STANDARD: 1920.1200) - TOTAL
# OF VIOLATIONS: 6,148
The purpose of this
section is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are
clearly defined, and that information concerning these hazards is transmitted
to employers and employees. The requirements of this section are intended to be
consistent with the provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System
of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 3. The transmittal
of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard
communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms
of warnings, safety data sheets, and employee training.
3. SCAFFOLDING (OSHA STANDARD: 1926.451) - TOTAL # OF
VIOLATIONS: 5,724
The very presence of
scaffolding at a jobsite can introduce hazards to a work environment, such as
falls, falling objects, and structural instability. OSHA’s scaffolding
requirements are performance-based, which means the rules aren’t as rigid as
other standards. The specifics of compliance depend on the types of scaffolding
used, the situations they are used in, and the personnel using them.
4. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION (OSHA STANDARD: 1910.134) - TOTAL
# OF VIOLATIONS: 3,843
This standard applies
to general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, long shoring, and
construction. It states that, in the control of occupational diseases caused by
breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases,
smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective shall be to prevent
atmospheric contamination. This is accomplished by implementing accepted
engineering control measures. For example, enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials. When
effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted,
appropriate respirators shall be used pursuant to this section.
5. POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS (OSHA STANDARD: 1910.178) - TOTAL
# OF VIOLATIONS: 3,147
This section contains
safety requirements relating to fire protection, design, maintenance, and use
of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and
other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal
combustion engines. This section does not apply to compressed air or
nonflammable compressed gas-operated industrial trucks, to farm vehicles, or to
vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling.
6. LOCKOUT / TAGOUT (OSHA STANDARD: 1910.178) - TOTAL #
OF VIOLATIONS: 3,117
This covers the
servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected
energization or startup of the machines or equipment, or release of stored
energy, could harm employees. This standard establishes minimum performance
requirements for the control of such hazardous energy.
7. LADDERS (OSHA STANDARD: 1926.1053) - TOTAL # OF
VIOLATIONS: 2,967
This standard states
that when portable ladders are used to access an upper landing surface, the
ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface
to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not
possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at
its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such
as a grab rail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting
the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under
a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.
8. ELECTRICAL, WIRING METHODS, COMPONENTS, AND EQUIPMENT (OSHA
STANDARD: 1910.305) - TOTAL # OF VIOLATIONS: 2,907
The basic aspects of
this standard include:
1. Electrical continuity of metal raceways and
enclosures. Metal raceways,
cable armor, and other metal enclosures for conductors shall be metallically
joined together into a continuous electric conductor and shall be so connected
to all boxes, fittings, and cabinets as to provide effective electrical
continuity.
2. Wiring in ducts. No wiring systems of any type shall be
installed in ducts used to transport dust, loose stock or flammable vapors. No
wiring system of any type may be installed in any duct used for vapor removal or for ventilation of
commercial-type cooking equipment, or in any shaft containing only such ducts.
3. Temporary wiring. Temporary electrical power and lighting
wiring methods may be of a class less than would be required for a permanent
installation. Except as specifically modified in this paragraph, all other
requirements of this subpart for permanent wiring shall apply to temporary
wiring installations.
9. MACHINERY AND MACHINE GUARDING (OSHA STANDARD: 1910.212) - TOTAL
# OF VIOLATIONS: 2,520
This standard
identifies types of guarding and when it is needed. In short, it states that
one or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the
operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those
created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying
chips, and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are -barrier guards, two-hand
tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.
10. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DESIGN, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (OSHA
STANDARD: 1910.303) - TOTAL # OF VIOLATIONS: 2,427
This standard covers
the examination, installation, and use of electrical equipment, electrical
connections, arcing parts, marking, disconnecting means and circuits, and
minimum space around electrical equipment.
It is vital that both
employers and workers understand the importance of complying with OSHA
regulations. Understanding and satisfying these regulations will ensure a safe
jobsite, protect the work force, and save lives.
