| Top 10 OSHA Citations in FY 2011
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published data summarizing the 10 most frequently cited standards, as well as highest penalty amounts for fiscal year (FY) 2011 (October 2010 through September 2011).
What are the results?
The “Top 10” most frequently cited standards make up almost 44 percent of the citations issued. Fall protection and scaffolds (construction standards 1926) remain at the top of the list of cited standards; lockout/tagout violations (general industry 1910 standards) was the highest penalty levied.
Fall protection and scaffolding (construction), hazard communication, respiratory protection, and control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) (general industry) rounded out the top five most frequently cited standards.
FY 2011 Top 10 most frequently cited standards:
- Duty to have fall protection, construction (29 Code of Federal Regulations - CFR 1926.501).
- Scaffolds, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451).
- Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200).
- Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134).
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147).
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305).
- Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053).
- Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178).
- Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.303).
- Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212).
FY 2011 Top 10 highest penalties:
- Duty to have fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501).
- Scaffolds, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451).
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147).
- Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212).
- Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053).
- Excavations, requirements for protective systems, construction (29 CFR 1926.652).
- Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178).
- General duty clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act).
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305).
- Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.303).
How does this compare to last year?
Not surprisingly, the top ten most frequently cited standards and highest penalty standards for FY 2011 are consistent with FY 2010. Workers play an important role in program implementation and proper employee instruction and, for this reason, guidance is crucial: hence OSHA’s scrutiny. A comprehensive health and safety program should be the goal of every company; however, while we do not encourage too great a reliance on this list, it is a great tool to identify standards that are chronic problems at other facilities to ensure that adequate resources are provided in those areas at your own.
Where can we find this information?
OSHA maintains a website that provides resources to help employers and workers understand OSHA requirements. In addition to the most cited standards, the website also provides the most asked questions, frequently requested publications, and other resources. Go to http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/index.html for OSHA compliance assistance/outreach, or contact Amy Bauer at 251-533-6949 and amy.bauer@ehs-support.com for more information
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