Every year there are lots of health and safety hazards that come to notice at the workplace. No doubt that workplace injuries and fatalities can overwhelm employees as well as their families. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration performs an inspection to inform safety experts and employers about the most common breaches and violations. However, the OSHA violation list of 2023 has been revealed and this list is cited with the most frequent infringements of the year.
It is true that workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities can cause severe damage to employees and their families, but they are costly to companies as well. Due to such incidents every year, an organization needs to fulfill the medical costs, legal fees, and employee compensation costs, and although they are facing minimum productivity that becomes billions of expenses. In addition, they must have to pay the OSHA penalty which may cost about $156,259 per violation. That is why it is essential to understand why health and safety programs help to save money.
10 Most Common OSHA Violations
OSHA brings out the list so employers can take action to identify and mitigate known hazards. However, these guidelines also cover the risks associated with injuries, deaths, and illnesses suffered by workers. Let’s have a look at the top 10 OSHA violations in 2023.
1. Fall Protection (General Requirements): 7,271 Violations
This standard focuses on preventing falls among employees, especially in the construction sector. Common violations include improper fall protection systems and inappropriate use of equipment. For 12 years, OSHA’s fall protection standard has been one of the most highlighted topics.
This part usually specifies when, where, and why fall protection is needed, as well as what are the measure safety protocols to consider in order to control falls, slips, and trips. 2023 saw around 7,271 violations of this OSHA standard.
2. Hazard Communication: 3,213 Violations
This is another OSHA standard which saw 3,213 violations in 2023. According to this standard, employers are required to maintain a written hazard communication program and provide useful information to employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. This violation often improper labeling of chemicals and a lack of employee training
It is crucial for companies to tell employees about how to classify chemicals and workplaces and label them properly. Moreover, it establishes the standard for employee training, tells them the use of Safety Data Sheets, and instructs them to build a workplace hazard communication strategy.
3. Ladder: 2,978 Violations
OSHA Violations related to ladders often concern issues like damaged or improperly used ladders, as well as failing to provide proper training on ladder safety.
Organizations are required to keep ladders in excellent condition, train staff members who use them, and utilize them according to safety regulations.
4. Scaffolding: 2,859 Violations
OSHA has a set of standards for scaffolding which is commonly used in construction industry. Unfortunately, many contractors and construction businesses violate these standards, putting their workforce at risk. Last year, there were 2,859 violations of OSHA’s standards related to scaffolding safety.
5. Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,561 Violations
This OSHA standard governs the safe use of forklifts, lift trucks, uploading, and removal of heavy objects or other powered industrial trucks. Violations can include insufficient training, failure to perform inspections, maintenance, and improper operation of the vehicles.
When using powered industrial trucks, employers must make sure that employees are properly trained and authorized. They need to conduct routine inspections and adhere to safety regulations. Make sure that the truck users have OSHA safety training. There were 2,561 instances of businesses not adhering to these standards last year.
6. Lockout/Tagout: 2,554 Violations
The Lockout/Tagout is another type of OSHA violation. This category specifies the procedures to control hazardous energy sources when servicing or maintaining machines and equipment. Violations may involve inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, techniques, or failure to train employees. Inadequate training for employees related to lockout and tagout is the major cause of OSHA safety violations.
To prevent unintentional machinery startup, employers must create and implement lockout/tagout protocols, educate staff members about them, and use locks and tags.
7. Respiratory Protection: 2,481 Violations
It is significant for employers to maintain and construct a Respiratory Protection Program to protect workers from inhaling harmful airborne contaminants. Violations often include improper fit testing and inadequate training.
Businesses are expected to set up a program that includes respirator selection, fit testing, medical evaluations for employees required to use respirators, and training on proper respirator use.
8. Fall Protection (Training Requirements): 2,112 Violations
This category is different from the ‘fall protection general requirement’. This OSHA specifically addresses the training requirements related to fall protection in the construction industry. The training providers failed to give adequate training to employers on fall protection.
However, employers need to make sure that their employees receive comprehensive and satisfactory OSHA safety training. Then workers become capable of knowing how to use fall protection equipment to save themselves and others from hazardous situations.
9. Eye & Face Protection: 2,074 Violations
Eye and Face Protection are commonly known as Personal Protective and lifesaving equipment. This standard requires employers to provide appropriate eye and face protection to workers who are exposed to hazards such as flying particles or chemical splashes. This violation includes failing to provide appropriate eye and face protection in situations where employees are exposed to hazards.
It is crucial for employers to supply and require the use of appropriate eye and face protection, such as safety glasses or goggles when employees are exposed to potential eye or face injuries. Such violations reached 2,074 in 2023.
10. Machine Guarding: 1,644 Violations
The machine guarding OSHA violations involve neglecting to give proper machine guards in order to protect employees from harmful machine parts. Such violations reached 1,644 in 2013. This standard usually outlines the safety measures to shield workers from flying chips, moving parts, ignitions, and other machinery-related dangers.
To protect employees from exposure to potentially dangerous portions of machinery, employers must install the correct shielding.
Gets OSHA training to Avoid Violations
If you want to save your company money from compensation costs and OSHA heavy penalties, you need to join OSHA training sessions now. Without any offense, occupational safety and health training is one of the best ways to secure employees from any hazardous situation such as injuries, accidents, and fatalities. Training such as the preliminary OSHA 10-Hour Construction and the detailed OSHA 30-Hour Construction can help you stay safe and avoid violation penalties. The safety training helps them to stay up-to-date regarding OSHA regulations and helps workers be aware of the best safety protocols.