Beware of the 2011 OSHA Top 10

CHAD TISONIK
Advisory Practice Leader & Associate VP

OSHA released its Top 10 Most Cited Violations of 2011 today at the National Safety Council’s annual conference. Construction grabbed three spots, including #1 and #2 on the list.  The remainder of the most cited violations can be found in any industry. 

Here's this year's list:

Most Cited Violations of 2011

1.  Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501)

2.  Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451)

3.  Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) 

4.  Respiratory Protection (1910.134)

5.  Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)

6.  Electrical – Wiring Methods (29 CFR 1910.305)

7.  Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)

8.   Ladders (1926.1053)

9.   Electrical – General (29 CFR 1910.303) 

10. Machine Guarding – General Requirement (29 CFR 1910.212)

Comparing this to last year’s, not much has changed, meaning employers and employees are  continuing to make the same mistakes.  The same 10 violations on the 2011 list were also a problem in 2010, with some shuffling of the rankings taking place:

The Most Cited Violations of 2010

1.  Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451) 

2.  Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501)

3.  Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) 

4.  Respiratory Protection (1910.134)

5.  Ladders (1926.1053)

6.  Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)

7.  Electrical – Wiring Methods (29 CFR 1910.305)

8.  Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)

9.   Electrical – General (29 CFR 1910.303) 

10. Machine Guarding – General Requirement (29 CFR 1910.212)

Make sure your company avoids the infractions (and the fines that come with them) on this list.  As always, the HNI advisory staff stands ready to assist with any risk reduction and compliance needs.