The 2019 List of OSHA’s most frequent violations is out. Once again, Fall Protection is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard as announced at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo.
There were very few changes to the list as compared with recent lists. This, according to OSHA representatives, is concerning since both the order and frequency of violations was largely unchanged.
Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs presented the list based on OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1 to Aug. 15.
Kapust offered this advice:
“Look at your own workplace and see where you can find solutions. These are common violations. They’ve been around for a while. The answers are out there.”
Most troubling, according to OSHA representatives, was the fact that Hazard Communication was once again near the top of the list. Most the the problems are due to questions and confusion resulting from the recent adoption of GHS and the changes made to the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom).
To reduce HazCom injuries and violations, OSHA urges employers to:
- review their SDS library to confirm they have the most updated information available for employees to access
- verify shipped labels and workplace container labels comply with GHS
- update their Written HazCom Plans
- make sure that all employees have been trained to comprehend the current GHS changes.
If you haven’t done so already, now is a good time to look into an electronic SDS management tool to help simplify compliance and improve employee access to all hazardous information.
The full list:
- Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 6,010 violations
- Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 3,671
- Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,813
- Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,606
- Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,450
- Ladders (1926.1053): 2,345
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,093
- Fall Protection Training (1926.503): 1,773
- Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,743
- Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,411
Have OSHA compliance or safety concerns? Novus can help with program development, SDS management and safety training. We also have a network of companies that provide a range of health & safety services that can assist in any function of safety compliance.
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