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
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