OSHA Top Ten Violations of 2018

During a Learning Lab session at the 2018 National Safety Council Congress & Expo, The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) announced its list of the top ten violations for the fiscal year (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018). The list included both the violation regulation and the number of violations for all ten. These violations accounted for roughly 32,266 violations found by the federal agency, but do not account for those found by state enforcement agencies.

Most Cited OSHA Violations of 2018:

1. Fall Protection | 1926.501 | 7,720 violations
2. Hazard Communication | 1910.1200 | 4,552 violations
3. Scaffolding - General Requirements | 1926.451 | 3,336 violations
4. Respiratory Protection | 1910.134 | 3,118 violations
5. Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout | 1910.147 | 2,944 violations
6. Ladders | 1926.1053 | 2,812 violations
7. Powered Industrial Trucks | 1910.178 | 2,294 violations
8. Fall Protection - Training Requirements | 1926.503 | 1,982 violations
9. Machine Guarding - General Requirement | 1910.212 | 1,972 violations
10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection | 1926.102 | 1,536 violations

A Detailed Look into Common OSHA Violations

• Fall Protection-- OSHA has a standard for fall protection in the workplace (specifically, construction workplaces) since falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. This standard addresses human and equipment-related issues when protecting employees from falls.
• Hazard Communication-- The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) was established to guarantee worker access to information about the identification of chemicals and their hazards in the workplace. This standard now aligns with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, providing a cohesive and streamlined approach to classifying chemicals and distributing hazard information via safety data sheets and labels.
• Scaffolding-General Requirements-- Scaffolding is most commonly used in the construction industry. The standard established for scaffolds used in construction came about as a way to protect workers who regularly use scaffolding since the hazards consistently rank high on the lists of most frequently cited OSHA standards.
• Respiratory Protection-- Due to the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, an estimated five million workers are required to wear respirators--either those that remove contaminants from the air and those that sipple clean air from a different source--to protect against a variety of workplace hazards, including dust, fog, smoke, gases, sprays, and vapors. These hazards put employees at risk for lung impairment, disease, cancer, or even death.
• Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/Tagout-- The inability to control hazardous energy (energy sources from machines and equipment being serviced or maintained by workers) accounts for almost ten percent of serious accidents in the workplace, which is why OSHA established a standard for lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures. Along with this standard, employers are required to train workers on the hazardous energy control procedures.
• Ladders--While ladders are a beneficial piece of equipment on a job site, falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational injuries and fatalities, especially in the construction industry. These types of ladders include step, straight, combination and extension ladders. Both employees and employers must take precautionary measures to ensure that their equipment is safe and that they are educated on the limits of what ladders can handle.
• Powered Industrial Trucks--This standard refers to "powered industrial trucks," which are commonly known as forklifts, jacks, or lift trucks, to minimize accidents, injuries, and deaths in the workplace. This piece of equipment needs to be operated by a qualified, trained employee.
• Fall Protection - Training Requirements--OSHA's Fall Protection Training Requirements for Contractors work toward eliminating injuries when exposed to fall hazards in the workplace. This training covers information about different types of fall hazards, correct procedures for using fall protection systems and safety monitoring systems, machine limitations, proper equipment storage, and more.
• Machine Guarding - General Requirement--The machine guarding standard frequently makes the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited list due to the use of old or damaged equipment, retired equipment, or equipment used without guarding. Industries such as fabricated metal product manufacturing, food manufacturing, and machinery manufacturing are highly susceptible to injuries due to the use of unguarded or inadequately guarded machines.
• Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection--Eye and face protection is just one section of what OSHA designates as personal protective equipment (PPE) and lifesaving equipment. Under this standard, workers are required to wear comfortable and fitted eye and face protection to protect against radiation, chemical, or physical agents.

Let Dugan & Associates Help You!

You can report a violation to the OSHA if it resulted in one of the following:

1. Death
2. Days away from work
3. Restricted work activity
4. Transfer to another job
5. Medical treatment beyond first aid
6. Loss of consciousness
7. Diagnosis of a significant injury by a licensed healthcare professional

To report a violation to OSHA, fill out one of the following three forms:

1. OSHA Form 300 - Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
2. OSHA Form 300A - Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
3. OSHA Form 301 - Injury and Illness Report

We also handle these types of personal injuries. If you or someone you love has suffered a significant injury at work, the team at Dugan & Associates is ready to look at your case. Our team of experienced workplace injury lawyers will make sure you receive the maximum monetary compensation available to you. Give us a call at 412-353-3572 or contact us online today for your free consultation.