Fall Protection tops OSHA’s annual ‘Top 10’ list of most frequently cited violations

Houston — Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the eighth consecutive year, the agency and Safety+Health announced Tuesday at the 2018 National Safety Council Congress & Expo.

Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, presented preliminary data for OSHA’s Top 10 most-cited violations for fiscal year 2018, which ended Sept. 30. Kevin Druley, associate editor for S+H, moderated the session.

The top five violations remained unchanged for the fourth straight year, with Hazard Communication, Scaffolding, Respiratory Protection and Lockout/Tagout following Fall Protection, respectively.

Eye and Face Protection emerged as a newcomer, ranking 10th.

“The Top 10 represents the most frequently cited standards, and they are a good place to start for the employer in identifying hazards in their own workplace," Kapust said during the presentation.

The full list:

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 7,270 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 4,552
3. Scaffolding (1926.451): 3,336
4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 3,118
5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,944
6. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,812
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,294
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,982
9. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,972
10. Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,536

“Knowing how workers are hurt can go a long way toward keeping them safe,” NSC President and CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman said in an Oct. 23 press release. “The OSHA Top 10 list calls out areas that require increased vigilance to ensure everyone goes home safely each day.”

Look for additional details and exclusive content in the December issue of S+H.