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OSHA's 2019 Top Ten Most Cited Violations

OSHA's 2019 Top Ten Most Cited Violations

OSHA recently released revised data for the top 10 OSHA violations (2019 fiscal year). Marking the ninth year in a row, General Requirements for Fall Protection is number one. But with a reduction in total violations from 7,216 in 2018 to 7,014 in 2019.


“These are common violations that we’re finding – they’ve been in place for a lot of years,” said Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs. “The answers are out there, and employers shouldn’t feel like these are very complex issues. If you don’t know the answers, we encourage you to contact OSHA.”


At the Safety Source, we offer on-site training, including  Fall ProtectionLockout/TagoutFork Lift TrainingAerial Man-Lift Training and more.



Here are OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations of 2019.


1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501) - 7,014 Violations

This standard outlines where fall protection is required, which systems are appropriate for given situations, the proper construction and installation of safety systems, and the proper supervision of employees to prevent falls. It’s designed to protect employees on walking/working surfaces (horizontal or vertical) with an unprotected side or edge above 6 feet.



2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200) - 4,170 Violations

This standard addresses chemical hazards – both those chemicals produced in the workplace and those imported into the workplace. It also governs the communication of those hazards to workers.



3. Scaffolding (1926.451) – 3,228 Violations

This standard covers general safety requirements for scaffolding, which should be designed by a qualified person and constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Employers are bound to protect construction workers form falls falling objects while working on or near scaffolding at heights of 10 feet or higher.



4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) – 2,975 Violations

This standard outlines minimum performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment.



5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134) – 2,826 Violations

This standard directs employers in establishing or maintaining a respiratory protection program. It lists requirements for program administration; worksite-specific procedures; respirator cleaning, maintenance and repair



6. Ladders (1926.1053) – 2,766 Violations

This standard covers general requirements for all ladders.



7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) – 2,347 Violations

This standard covers the design, maintenance and operation of powered industrial trucks, including fork lifts and motorized hand trucks. It also covers operator training requirements.



8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503) – 2,059 Violations

This standard addresses training requirements for employers in regards to fall protection.



9. Machine Guarding (1910.212) – 1,987 Violations

This standard covers guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from hazards, including those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.



10. Personal Protective And Life Saving Equipment – Eye And Face Protection (1926.102) – 1,630 Violations

This standard addresses appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards, such as flying particles and chemical gases or vapors.



The revised data was reported in Safety+Health, the official magazine of the NSC Congress & Expo.

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