OSHA unveils 2012 Top Ten most-cited violations

According to Roy Maurer, writing online at the Society for Human Resources Management, OSHA announced the preliminary top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2012. The announcement was made at the 2012 National Safety Council Congress and Expo in Orlando, Florida on October 23.

This year's top ten violations were little changed from last year's top ten.

The top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations are as follows:

1. Fall Protection: 7,250 total violations

Frequently violated requirements included failure to protect open sides and edges, to prevent falls from roofs, and to cover holes.

2. Hazard Communication: 4,696 total violations

Commonly violated requirements included failure to have a written program, inadequate employee education and training, improper or no labels on containers, and no material safety data sheets or lack of access to them.

3. Scaffolding: 3,814 total violations

Violations included problems with scaffold construction, improper access to scaffolding surfaces and lack of guardrails.

4. Respiratory Protection: 2,371 total violations

Frequent violations included no written respiratory protection program, poor fit-test procedures, unsuitable respirator selection process and lack of procedures for voluntary use of respirators.

5. Ladders: 2,310 total violations

Violations included damaged side rails, use of the top ladder step, inappropriate ladder for the job and excessive loads on ladders.

6. Machine Guarding: 2,097 total violations

Violations included point-of-operation exposures, inadequate or no anchoring of fixed machinery, and exposure to blades.

7. Powered Industrial Trucks: 1,993 total violations

Common violations were inadequate operator training and refresher training, and poor conditions of trucks when returned to service after repair.

8. Electrical—Wiring: 1,744 total violations

Violations included problems with flexible cords and cables, boxes, and temporary wiring; poor use of extension cords, and using temporary wiring as permanent wiring.

9. Lockout/Tagout: 1,572 total violations

Frequent violations were poor or no energy control procedures, inadequate worker training and inspections not completed.

10. Electrical—General: 1,332 total violations

Common violations were related to electric shock and electrocution exposures.

I'll be talking more about these issues in the next few days, so stay tuned. Needless to say, the agency is talking about more changes in its inspection and enforcement practices that bear watching.