Here are the top ten OSHA Cited Violations for 2013.
- Fall Protection-General Requirements Standard 1926.501 Construction
- Hazard Communication Standard 1910.1200 General Industry and Construction
- Scaffolding Standard 1926.451 Construction
- Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134 General Industry and Construction
- Electrical – Wiring Methods Standard 1910.305 General Industry
- Powered Industrial Trucks Standard 1910.178 General Industry and Construction
- Ladders Standard 1926.1053 Construction
- Lockout/Tagout Standard 1910.147 General Industry
- Electrical-General Requirements Standard 1910.303 General Industry
- Machine Guarding Standard 1910.212 General Industry
Over the next few months, we will expand on each of these areas to address the nature of the hazards, how to identify the hazards and options for controlling the hazards. All of the violations that affect construction work are the areas covered in OSHA jobsite focused inspections.
You will note that some of the standards impact both general industry and construction. The Hazard Communications, Respiratory Protection and Powered Industrial Truck standards for General Industry incorporate construction work into the scope and applicability of the standard.
Expect Hazard Communications citations to increase during the next year given that the deadline for the first phase of the Globally-Harmonized System incorporation (employee training by December 1, 2013) has passed. It is anticipated that the training requirement will be the number one citation issued in 2014.
As you review your safety program, give serious consideration to the above-listed hazards. Some may not apply to what you do; such as, scaffolding or powered industrial trucks. On the other hand, nearly all workplaces have hazards related to chemical product use and electricity. The Top Ten list is a good tool to focus attention on the combination of significant hazards that draw the attention of an OSHA Compliance Officer during an inspection.
