OSHA top 10 list - 2009

OSHA’s top 10 sited violations for 2009

Everyone feels they run a safe enough operation.  But is it safe enough for the Federal Government?  According to industry reports, the number of OSHA inspections was about the same from 2008 to 09 at roughly 27,000 with the number of reported violations also being roughly the same at around 100,000.  However, there was a substantial increase in the actual penalties levied against companies.  2008 had a total penalty draw of $94 million.  2009 saw a draw of over $104 million in penalties. 

So, what are the top 10 for this year?

10) Training Requirements – Fall Protection.

OSHA has specific and straightforward requirements on fall protection – and the first if this is to have a written plan and train your employees in the plan.  As in so many other instances, it doesn’t matter if your employees know the information, it matters on whether you prove it.  This requires documenting the training as well as any subsequent refreshers.  This category led to 2,335 violations and over $1.5 million in penalties

9) Electrical – General

This category covers a lot of space – literally.  The biggest issues in this category dealt with space.  Not enough space around electrical panels, too little space in electrical work ways, and allowing people to get too close to live exposed circuits.  This category led to more than 2400 violations and over $1.5 million in penalties.

8) Powered Industrial Trucks

Can you envision doing your job without forklifts and other similar types of tools?  OSHA requires more than just instructing your employees to back down an incline when they have a load.  Problems here included not inspecting the trucks, trucks missing data plates, modifications, and employee certification.  This category led to almost 3000 violations and just shy of $3 million in penalties.

7)  Wiring methods - components, and equipment for general use

Open junction boxes, failure to use strain reliefs, and incorrectly repaired wiring brought this category almost 3000 violations and over $1.7 million in fines.

6) Lock-out/Tag-out

Failure to control hazardous energy – whether electrical, hydraulic, or even gravity – is a constant visitor to the top 10.  Many companies don’t even have a written plan, which is the heart of the program.  Employee training and establishing procedures lead to a plan that will keep your employee safe and keep OSHA out of your hair.  This category had more than 3100 violations and almost $4 million in penalties.

5) Ladders

Ladders on the top 10 list?  Although it isn’t as costly in violations as LO/TO, ladder violations had more action than any of the previous issues.  Ladder violations are extremely common and are often overlooked by your site supervisors.  Issues include using ladders for other than intended purposes (like a scaffold), not removing defective ladders from service, using the top step of the ladder as a step (note: it is not step), and failing to have ladders extend 3 feet beyond the top step-off level (or securing the top from movement).  Did you know that you aren’t allowed to paint a ladder?  This category had 3252 violations and over $2.1 million in penalties.

4) Respirator Protection

If you need respirators in your job, OSHA requires more than just digging a respirator out of your tool box and tossing it to the next guy in line.  If you need respirators, then you are working with hazardous chemicals and that becomes serious.  OSHA requires a written Respirator Protection program, employee training, fit testing, pulmonary function testing, and more.  This category had more than 3600 violations and almost $1.3 million in fines.

3) Hazard Communication Program

This is one that continues to surprise everyone.  A Hazard Communication Program is not difficult to create & maintain, yet continues to be one of the most common violations every year.  What are the chemicals that you use? Get MSDS sheets and teach your employees how to read them.  This is incomplete and a gross oversimplification, but failure to maintain Right-To-Know information is both the most common violations and the easiest to maintain part of this program.  This category had more than 6000 violations and over $1.5 million in penalties.

2) Fall Protection

OSHA requires fall protection systems – whether guardrails, netting, or harnesses – anytime an employee is working at heights above 6 feet.  In addition to the common edges of buildings (like roofs), you must also protect from falls when there are floor or wall openings.  This category had more than 7000 violations and a whopping $9.3 million in penalties.

1)  Scaffolding

Scaffolding has been around since the times of the ancient Egyptians; however we are still working in the dark ages when it comes to safety.  Top concerns with scaffolds includes improper access, improper construction materials used, improperly preparing for the ground conditions, not installing fall protection (like guard rails), and much more.  This category had more than 9000 violations and almost $8.5 million in penalties.

Having a safe workplace is not as time consuming or as costly as you may envision.  Written programs and employee training are the hearts of these programs.  And if the penalties that these top 10 violations could impact upon your business don’t convince you, then think of the other costs associated – the lives of your employees.  Across the board in the construction industry – encompassing Independent Contractors, General Contractors, and Residential Builders –  slips, trips & falls are the top causes for injuries averaging more than $13,000 per accident claim.  And your actual cost can be substantially higher than that with increased insurance premiums, job delays, training (or hiring) someone else to do an injured employees job, and the loss of potential jobs due to a tarnished safety record.