OSHA Top Violations 2019

1. Fall protection (construction)—general requirements (29 CFR 1926.501)
   6,010 violations

Fall protection prevention encompasses a variety of different equipment and systems to reduce or mitigate hazards while working at heights. Many companies employ fall protection measures like personal fall arrest (PFA) systems, guardrail systems, safety nets, positioning device systems, warning line systems and controlled access zones.

A strong fall protection program can support training for both Hiring Client and contractor employees. ISN’s HSEQ Review and Verification Services (RAVS) team reviews contractors’ policies and training, like fall protection programs, to help Hiring Clients ensure contractors address necessary regulations.

2. Hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)
3,671 violations

The hazard communication OSHA regulation ensures the hazards of chemicals produced or imported are classified, and that information concerning the classified hazards is shared with employers and employees. This could include maintaining written programs and employee training programs regarding hazards of chemicals and protective measures. Read about some of the hazards and solutions to managing Benzene safety in our blog.

3. Scaffolds (construction)—general requirements (29 CFR 1926.451)
2,813 violations

These requirements address scaffold and scaffold components and how they should be installed, the weight limits, etc. A strong fall protection program  can support proper use and protections on scaffolds as well.

4. Lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147)
2,606 violations

In 2019, these violations surpassed Respiratory protection citations, which held the No. 4 spot on OSHA’s list of top citations in 2018.

The regulation addresses preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees service and maintenance equipment. Employees may experience serious physical harm or even death if proper precautions are not put in place. According to OSHA, workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation. Compliance with the government administration’s standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year.

5. Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134)
2,450 violations

These violations fell one spot in OSHA’s 2019 list from the previous year, surpassed by Lockout/tagout citations.

The standard seeks to control occupational diseases caused by breathing contaminated air and preventing atmospheric contamination. OSHA requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program to be administered by a trained program administrator.

ISN’s RAVS Plus Implementation Assessments can provide subscribers an analysis of contractors’ policy implementations through interviewing employees and reviewing additional documentation, including written programs.

6. Ladders (construction) (29 CFR 1926.1053)
2,345 violations

These requirements apply to all ladders, including job-made ladders. A strong fall protection program can support proper use and protections on ladders as well.

7. Powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)
2,093 violations

This standard addresses safety requirements relating to design, maintenance, fire protection, and use of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks. Citations result from using defective industrial trucks and failure to certify operators.

8. Fall protection (construction)—training requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)
1,773 violations

This violation maintained its No. 8 spot for the second year in a row. Training for employees to familiarize themselves with requirements and regulations surrounding fall protection is critical to maintaining job site safety. This regulation varies from the similarly named number one standard on this list in that it references the training related to fall protection, including notification of hazards and documented training records.

ISN subscribers can take advantage of the Online Training Tool to assign contractors and employees specific trainings to complete before entering a job site. More than 15 million qualifications have been submitted for contractor employees working on Hiring Client sites in ISNetworld to date, a 64% increase since 2016. Read about our support for training qualifications.

RAVS Plus Implementation Assessments for ISN subscribers analyze contractors’ policy implementations through interviewing employees and reviewing additional documentation, including fall protection written programs fall protection written programs, evidence of fall protection training and equipment inspections.

9. Machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212)
1,743 violations

This standard sits at the same spot as 2018’s list.

It provides that one or more ways of guarding be provided to protect the operator and other employees in a machine area. Hazards could be created by operation, such as rotating parts, flying chips or sparks. Guarding methods could be barriers, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.

10. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment (construction)—eye and face protection (29 CFR 1926.102)
1,411 violations

These violations sit at the No. 10 spot for second year in a row.

Employers should ensure that each employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards, including those that fit over corrective eyewear for employees requiring prescription lenses. Citations for this standard are most common among roofing contractors failing to use the proper PPE.