OSHA Defense

Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2018 Part 1

Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes a list of the most common OSHA violations. Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, announced the top 10 violations for the 2018 fiscal year at the 2018 National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Houston, Texas. Although this announcement was made before a standing-room-only crowd comprised primarily of safety professionals, the news quickly spread from coast to coast.

In this two-part article, a knowledgeable Florida OSHA lawyer will catch you up on the top 10 OSHA violations of 2018, which covers violations from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018. By working with your team to avoid these common violations, you can lay the groundwork for a safer work environment that keeps you and your team happy and healthy.

Duty to Provide Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501) – 7,270 Violations

For several years, the duty to provide fall protection has been OSHA’s most commonly issued citation. The violations that fall under the umbrella of this standard mainly include the failure to provide adequate fall protection in close proximity to unprotected sides or edges on roofs with varying slopes. This citation was most commonly issued to roofing contractors, framing contractors, masonry contractors, and new single-family housing construction contractors.

Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) – 4,552 Violations

Hazard communication is another commonly cited OSHA violation that has been listed among the top 10 OSHA violations for a number of years. Typically, this violation occurs when contractors fail to provide their workforce with adequate training, a procedural pamphlet, and display an inability to maintain safety data sheets (SDSs).

Scaffolds – General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.451) – 3,336 Violations

Scaffolding-related violations generally include a deficiency of appropriate decking, a lack of fall arrest systems or guardrails, and an inability to ensure that scaffolds are secured on a solid foundation. Contractors in the fields of masonry, siding, and framing commonly fall victim to scaffolding violations.

Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) – 3,118 Violations

As a contractor, you’re responsible for minimizing your employees’ exposure to harmful airborne particulates produced during construction such as crystalline silica. Violations are usually assessed to contractors who fail to establish a program, equip their workers with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), or provide medical evaluations.

Lockout/Tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) – 2,944 Violations

Contractors who refuse to establish a standardized energy control procedure may be issued a citation by OSHA. Other instances involve a failure to provide employees with suitable training regarding machine-specific procedures and lockout/tagout devices.

Read about the other top five OSHA violations in 2018 in part two.

If you would like to speak with a Florida OSHA defense lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.