Its that time of year again ... no, not the Holiday season, its time for OSHA to reveal the most cited violations for the year:
1. Fall Protections
a. Failing to provide fall protection systems/protections for employees working near/on elevated surfaces such as roofs, excavations and hoist areas.
b. Failing to provide protection from falling objects.
2. Hazard Communication
a. Failing to identify toxic or hazardous chemicals and substances.
b. Mislabeling of hazmat.
c. Failing to maintain safety data sheets on-site.
d. Lack of documented safety training.
3. Scaffolds
a. Failing to provide safe scaffolding design, installation and use including suspension, ladder jacks, top plate brackets, roof brackets, outrigger and pump jack scaffolds.
b. Failing to provide fall protection/arrest systems for 10 ft plus scaffolding.
4. Respiratory protection
a. Failing to provide workers with respirators to protect against contaminated air.
b. Lack of engineering controls such as ventilation or enclosures or confinement of operations.
5. Lockout/tagout
a. Generally excludes construction industry but is applicable to contractors who perform electrical work on their own premises.
b. Failing to have/maintain devices that prevent equipment from starting up such as devices that isolate breakers; prevent fluid or gas valves from being opened; lock out electrical plugs, cords and air hose connectors; or prevent flipping of an "on" switch.
6. Ladders
a. Failing to abide by maximum loads.
b. Improper rung/step placement.
c. Lack of skid resistance, clearance and safety devices.
7. Powered industrial trucks
a. Improper use of platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, fork trucks and other electric or gas-powered trucks.
b. Improper design, lack of fire hazard safeguards.
8. Fall protection — training requirements
a. Failing to provide adequate fall protection training.
9. Machine guarding
a. Failing to protect operators from injuries caused by sparks, flying chips, rotating parts and other dangers.
b. Failing to have in place accepted controls such as barrier guards, two-handed tripping devices, electronic safety devices and anchoring to keep fixed tools or equipment from "walking" during operations.
10. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment — eye and face protection
a. Failing to provide hazard-specific eye and face protective gear.
b. Failing to assure worker compliance.
