The Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Standards in 2013

Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Standards

CHAD TISONIK
HNI Wisconsin President

OSHA recently released its Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards list for 2013. While “top” usually implies “the best,” this is a list you want nothing to do with — it details the most common violations employers were fined for in the 2013 fiscal year (October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013).

The OSHA top 10 for 2013 included:

1. Fall Protection (cited 8,241 times during FY 2013)

2. Hazard Communication (cited 6,156 times)

3. Scaffolding (cited 5,423 times)

4. Respiratory Protection (cited 3,879 times during FY 2013)

5. Electrical, Wiring Methods (cited 3,452 times during FY 2013)

6. Powered Industrial Trucks (cited 3,340 times during FY 2013)

7. Ladders (cited 3,311 times during FY 2013)

8. Lockout/Tagout (cited 3,254 times during FY 2013)

9. Electrical, General Requirements (cited 2,745times in FY 2013)

10. Machine Guarding (cited 2,701 times during FY 2013)

Looking at what employers struggled with most in 2013, not much has changed. The same ten items appear on the Most Frequently Cited Standards for 2012 (although in a different order).

How to Avoid Making OSHA’s List in 2014

Going into 2014, we anticipate Hazard Communication (No. 2 on the list) to be a trouble area for some organizations. OSHA is changing its Hazard Communication Standard, and employers are required to train employees on the updated requirements by December 1. Make sure you’re up to date on what’s changing and what you need to do to comply so that you’re not a number on this list next year! [Want to learn more on the new Hazard Communication regulations? We recently posted a blog on what’s changing, what employers have to do, and when the important deadlines are.]

Building a safety culture is a long term challenge. To some employees, safety feels like an extra hurdle to jump through — but one safe action can mean the difference between compliance and a big, fat OSHA fine (not to mention the potential for an accident).

Make sure your company avoids the infractions on this list. HNI advisory staff stands ready to assist with any risk reduction and compliance needs.