On October 5, OSHA revealed the top 10 most cited violations in fiscal year 2010 during a special session at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo held in San Diego. OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations for 2010 are:
1. Scaffolding, General – 9,093 violations
2. Fall Protection – 6,771 violations
3. Hazard Communication – 6,378 violations
4. Respiratory Protection – 3,803 violations
5. Lockout/Tagout – 3,321 violations
6. Electrical, Wiring – 3,079 violations
7. Ladders – 3,072 violations
8. Powered Industrial Trucks – 2,993 violations
9. Electrical, General – 2,556 violations
10. Machine Guarding – 2,364 violations
According to Thomas Galassi, director of OSHA’s directorate of enforcement programs, the number of top 10 violations has increased almost 30 percent over the same time period in 2009. In addition, 81 percent of the violations OSHA recorded throughout the year were either serious or willful violations.
The top 10 most cited violations in 2010 are fairly consistent from year to year, with the exception of ladders. Ladder citations have now earned the rank of top 10.
Where is OSHA Heading
It looks like OSHA is back in the standard-writing enforcement business. They are addressing long-awaited outdated standards; issued a final rule in September updating PPE consensus standards; issued a proposal to align OSHA’s hazard communication standard with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS); released a report on the Nevada state program; and is committed to publishing a cranes and derricks standard within the coming months.
OSHA standards are advancing, enforcement is getting tougher, and fines and criminal provisions have been strengthened….are you ready? Call 908-442-8599