TOP 10 VIOLATED STANDARDS

In Fiscal Year 2001, based on most serious citations according to OSHA

As published in the National Safety Council’s Safety and Health Magazine Vol. 164, No. 6, December 2001

SCAFFOLDING 29 CFR 1926.451

• The standard protects workers from falls when working on scaffolds at heights of more than 10 feet.

• Common problems are– Failure to provide competent person to

supervise– Scaffold decks less than 4 feet wide

FALL PROTECTION29 CFR 1926.501

• The standard protects workers from falls above 6 feet (OSHA granted home owners an exemption under congressional pressure)

• Common problems are– Not guard open edges of floors– Training lacking– Workers step on insulation and go right through

the roof to the floor below.

HAZARD COMMUNICATION29 CFR 1910.1200

• OSHA’s most heavily cited standard details the hazards posed by various substances, labeling containers and MSDS.

• Common problems are– This standard applies anywhere there is any

kind of hazardous chemical– Widespread use of chemicals and lack of

MSDS

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT29 CFR 1910.147

• The standard requires employers to de-energize equipment for maintenance or post a sign warning equipment should be first turned off.

• Common problems are– Labor intensive standard and requirements are

difficult (according to employers)– Workers bypass lockout procedures to save

time

MACHINE GUARDING29 CFR 1910.212

• The standard requires employers to place guards over or in front of a machine’s moving parts

• Common problems are– Machine guards are removed and not replaced– Machine guards are removed because they are

perceived to be “in the way of my work”

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION29 CFR 1910.134

• The standard requires respirator use to protect workers from toxic fumes or other breathing hazards.

• Common problems are– Failure to perform air monitoring or require

workers to wear respirators– Fairly labor intensive standard

ELECTRICAL – WIRING29 CFR 1910.305

• The standard covers the grounding of electrical equipment, wiring and insulation.

• Common problems are– Lack of proper grounding– Unused openings in electrical devices– Failure to provide approved covers for

junctions and fittings for boxes.

MECHANICAL POWER – Transmission Apparatus

29 CFR 1910.219• The standard calls for proper guarding of

gears, chains, belts, pulleys and drive shafts so that a worker does not become caught in the transmission devices.

• Common problems are– Serious machine guarding hazards– Failure to guard sprocket wheels and chains,

rotating parts such as belts and pulleys and in-running nip points

POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS29 CFR 1910.178

• The standard applies to operation of forklifts

• Common problems are– Seat belts buckled– Additional training requirements requiring

licensing

EXCAVATIONS29 CFR 1926.651

• The standard covers the failure to shore up trenches and similar construction violations.

• Common problems are– Cave-ins, falls, electrocutions, struck by falling

objects and bad air.– Employers say they only dig a trench for a little

while when in reality “fatalities occur in just a little while”

TOP 10 “MOST SERIOUS” VIOLATIONS

Scaffolding 6,710

Fall Protection 4,143

Hazard Comm 3,619

Lockout/Tagout 3,023

Machine Guard 2,541

Respiratory Prot 2,219

Electrical Wiring 2,152

Mechanical Power 2,003

Forklifts 1,656

Excavation 1,528

TOP 10 “MOST OFTEN CITED” VIOLATIONS

Hazard Comm 7,233

Scaffolding 7,134

Fall Protection 4,421

Respiratory Prot 3,971

Lockout/Tagout 3,875

Electrical Wiring 3,125

Machine Guard 2,797

Forklifts 2,334

Electrical Systems 2,223

Mechanical Power 2,191