OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations for 2020 + Safety Resources

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 5,300 workers died because of work-based injuries in 2019, and deaths in the private construction industry also increased by 5 percent, compared to 2018 stats. OSHA unveiled its list of top 10 violations for 2020 based on these worrying stats.

OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations For 2020

Data OSHA uncovered was done to aid organizations in reducing the number of fatal and injurious accidents at workplaces:

1. Fall Protection

Fall protection, or the lack of it, continues to be a major issue, especially in the construction industry. Many employers were doing a poor job in training workers against this hazard.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection

2. Hazard Communication

To ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about their hazards and identities should be always available to workers.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/hazcom

3. Respiratory Protection

Respirators protect workers against hazardous mist, fog, diseases, gases, and vapor which can otherwise cause lung impairment.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/respiratory-protection

4. Scaffolding

Scaffolding safety violations account for a significant number of fatalities in construction zones. The temporary and fragile structure is highly susceptible to slip and fall accidents.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/scaffolding

5. Ladders

As per OSHA standards, ladders should support different loads without failure. Plus, the rungs, cleats, and steps should be damage-free to be used onsite.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1053

6. Lockout/Tagout

Proper lockout/Tagout protocols can prevent devastating injuries, which can otherwise take workers out for the count. The standards OSHA set, cover the regular maintenance of machines.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.147

7. Power industrial trucks

In these regulations, OSHA included the design, maintenance, and use of a range of trucks, including tractors, motorized hand trucks, forklifts, among others. These regulations don’t apply to farm trucks.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.178

8. Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment

Employers are responsible for ensuring each employee uses the appropriate eye and face protection to prevent serious injuries.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.102

9. Machine Guarding

Workers should be provided machine guarding to protect them from hazards from rotating arts, points of operation, flying chips, and sparks.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.212

10. Fall Protection Training Requirements

Employers should provide their workers with sufficient fall protection training to prevent costly and tragic accidents on site. This includes providing work conditions that are free of hazards.

Resources – https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection

By following OSHA regulations for all these potential violations, you can keep your workers safe from injuries and protect yourself from devastating lawsuits.

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