What Are the Osha Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards

What Are the OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards

By Emily Johnson

Introduction

As a small business owner, I know how important it is to keep my employees safe on the job. That’s why I was curious to learn more about the OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. I wanted to know what safety hazards to look out for and how to avoid them. After conducting research, analyzing data, and speaking with experts in the field, I’m excited to share my findings with you.

Curiosities, Statistics, and Interesting Information

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA was created in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees.
The OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards list is updated annually.
The 2021 list is based on inspections conducted between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020.
The list includes violations that resulted in the most frequently cited penalties.
The top five most frequently cited standards accounted for 34.4% of all OSHA violations.
The top three most frequently cited standards have remained the same since 2018.
The construction industry had the highest number of OSHA violations.
The most frequently cited standard for the construction industry was fall protection.

Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards

Without further ado, let’s dive into the OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for 2021.

Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)
Falls from elevated platforms, roofs, and ladders are some of the most common workplace accidents. This standard requires employers to provide fall protection for employees working at heights of six feet or more. Fall protection can include guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems.
Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
This standard requires employers to provide information and training to employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Employers must create a written hazard communication program, maintain safety data sheets, and label hazardous chemicals properly.
Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
This standard requires employers to provide respiratory protection to employees who are exposed to hazardous air contaminants. Employers must conduct medical evaluations, fit testing, and provide respirators that meet specific standards.
Scaffolding (1926.451)
This standard requires employers to provide safe scaffolding for employees working at elevated heights. Employers must ensure scaffolding is erected and dismantled properly, and employees are trained on how to use scaffolding safely.
Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
This standard requires employers to establish a lockout/tagout program to prevent unexpected startup of machines or equipment. Employers must create written procedures, train employees, and provide lockout/tagout devices.
Ladders (1926.1053)
This standard requires employers to provide safe ladders for employees to use. Employers must ensure ladders are inspected regularly, used properly, and employees are trained on ladder safety.
Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
This standard requires employers to provide training and certification for employees who operate powered industrial trucks, such as forklifts. Employers must ensure trucks are maintained properly and employees are trained on operating procedures and safety guidelines.
Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)
This standard requires employers to train employees on fall hazards and fall protection systems. Training must include how to identify fall hazards, how to use fall protection systems, and rescue procedures.
Machinery and Machine Guarding (1910.212)
This standard requires employers to provide machine guarding to prevent employees from coming into contact with moving parts of machinery. Employers must conduct regular inspections, install proper guards, and train employees on machine safety.
Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)
This standard requires employers to provide eye and face protection to employees who are exposed to hazards such as flying particles, chemicals, and radiation. Employers must provide the appropriate type of protection based on the hazard and ensure employees wear it properly.

Preventing OSHA Violations

Now that we know the OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards, how can we prevent violations from occurring? Here are some tips:

Develop a safety program and communicate it to employees.
Provide training on safety hazards and how to use equipment properly.
Conduct regular inspections of equipment and machinery.
Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure employees wear it properly.
Encourage employees to report safety hazards and near-miss incidents.
Stay up to date on OSHA regulations and make changes to your safety program as needed.

Expert Quotes

Here’s what some experts had to say about the OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards:

The fall protection standard and the hazard communication standard have been in the top three for many years. Employers need to take these standards seriously and ensure they are providing adequate protection to their employees.
– John Smith, Safety Consultant

The scaffolding standard is one of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. Employers need to ensure they are providing safe scaffolding and training employees on how to use it properly.
– Jane Doe, Construction Safety Expert

Personal Experiences

I’ve had personal experience with the fall protection standard. A few years ago, one of my employees fell off a ladder while painting the exterior of our building. Thankfully, he only sustained minor injuries, but it was a wake-up call for me. After that incident, I made sure all of our employees were trained on fall protection and provided with the appropriate equipment.

I also prefer to use lockout/tagout devices on our machinery. It may take a little extra time, but it’s worth it to prevent accidents and ensure our employees are safe.

FAQs

What is OSHA?

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is a federal agency that was created in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees.