OSHA’s top 10 violations worth reviewing

The top 10 citations issued by OSHA against construction and general industry seldom change, but they are always worth reviewing as the most frequently overlooked areas of compliance

By Source: OSHA April 1, 2011

What gets the attention of OSHA regulators every year? They’re usually the same issues year after year. The top 10 citations issued by OSHA against construction and general industry seldom change, but they are always worth reviewing as the most frequently overlooked areas of compliance.

The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010):

  1. Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
  2. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
  3. Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
  4. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
  5. Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
  6. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
  7. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305)
  8. Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
  9. Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.303)
  10. Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212)

The following are the standards for which OSHA assessed the highest penalties in fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010):

  1. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
  2. Electrical, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.403)
  3. Safety training and education, construction (29 CFR 1910.21)
  4. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
  5. Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212)
  6. General duty clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act)
  7. Excavations, requirements for protective systems, construction (29 CFR 1926.652)
  8. Lead, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1025)
  9. Grain handling facilities (29 CFR 1910.272)
  10. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)