OSHA's Top 10 Safety Violations

Many workers’ compensation claims result directly from worksite conditions. Many people think this is only relevant in industries like construction, manufacturing, and distribution, however, the conditions of offices or other environments have also been the reason for many of these claims. To maximize workplace safety, OSHA tracks violations of safety and health standards that could lead to workers’ compensation claims. This data shows insights into the most prevalent safety issues to garner employer attention and action. During the pandemic, OSHA used remote inspection and complaint responses to gather this data for the 2021 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2021). Below is the list of the most common violations reported by OSHA for that time frame: 

1. Fall Protection – Most-cited safety issue for the 11th year in a row with 5,271 violations in 2021. The main citation cause was lack of protection near unprotected edges or sides and on steep roofs or sloped surfaces. 
   
   
2. Respiratory Protection – 2,521 violations in 2021. Primary citations included absence of a protection program, failure to perform required fit testing, and a lack of medical evaluations. 
   
   
3. Ladders – 2,018 violations in 2021. Primary citations included structurally deficient ladders, lack of side rails extending three feet beyond a landing surface, the use of ladders for which they’re not designed, and allowing workers to use the top step of a stepladder. 
   
   
4. Scaffolds – 1,943 violations in 2021. Primary citations included improper decking, inadequate scaffold support on a solid foundation, and lack of safety guardrails.
   
   
5. Hazard Communication – 1,939 violations in 2021. Primary citations included lack of written hazard communication program, inadequate training, and failure to develop data safety sheets.
   
   
6. Lockout/tagout – 1,670 violations in 2021. Primary citations included inadequate training, lack of established energy control procedures, failure to use lockout/tagout equipment, and failure to conduct procedural evaluations.
   
   
7. Fall protection training requirements – 1,660 violations in 2021. Primary citations included inadequate training, lack of required training, and lack of written certifications.
   
   
8. Eye and Face protection – 1,451 violations in 2021. Primary citations included failure to use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, or caustic liquids and a lack of side protection.
   
   
9. Powered Industrial Trucks – 1,404 violations in 2021. Primary citations included lack of safe operation, lack of refresher training, lack of training certification, and failure to examine equipment in hazardous conditions. 
   
   
10. Machine Guarding – 1,105 violations in 2021. Primary citations included lack of required guards, lack of guarding at operation point, improper anchorage of machinery, lack of secure guard attachment to machines, and improper fan blade guarding. 
    

OSHA advises employers to review their worksite conditions and work processes to ensure they are not susceptible to these violations. To learn more about OSHA’s standards for workplace safety, please visit: https://www.osha.gov/. 

DII is your partner in workplace safety. Our team of experts can work with you to understand how to reduce potential safety violations in your workplace. Please contact your DII representative for more information.  #WorkplaceSafety #OSHA #Standards