OSHA Top Violations 2020

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently reported the top 10 most cited violations for the fiscal year through August 31, 2020. These citations follow inspections of worksites by federal OSHA. For the tenth consecutive year, general requirements for fall protection was the year’s most frequently cited standard.

“These are common violations that we’re finding – they’ve been in place for a lot of years,” said Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, speaking at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo. “The answers are out there, and employers shouldn’t feel like these are very complex issues. If you don’t know the answers, we encourage you to contact OSHA.”

How ISN Can Help
ISN supports subscribing clients that aim to reduce violations with the assistance of ISNetworld tools and resources.

• The integrated Learning Management System (LMS) Platform provides complimentary, high-quality, computer-based training materials from third-party providers for contractor customers to satisfy Hiring Client requirements. The platform features more than 40 training topics in areas including COVID-19 workplace safety, fall protection, first aid, respiratory protection, confined space, heat stress, bloodborne pathogens and more.
• Subscribers can utilize the Online Training Tool (OTT) to assign contractors and employees specific trainings to cover topics such as site-specific requirements.
• Today, more than 145 Hiring Clients across multiple industries use the TQ Tool in ISNetworld to monitor employee-level training data.
• ISN HSEQ Review and Verification Services (RAVS) team reviews contractors’ policies and training to help both Hiring Clients and contractors ensure contractors address necessary regulations.

If you are a subscribed Hiring Client, ask your ISN Account Representative for information on how our tools and subject matter experts can help your organization make every effort to reduce OSHA citations. If you are a subscribed contractor, please contact our ISN Customer Service Team.

Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and reduce incidents? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld.

OSHA Top Violations 2020

1. Fall Protection, General Requirements (1926.501)
   Failure to provide fall protection remains the top violation. Falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off overhead platforms, elevated workstations or into holes in the floor and walls. A strong fall protection program can support training for both Hiring Client and contractor employees. Find more resources from OSHA on fall protection.
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
   In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. Read about some of the hazards and solutions to managing Benzene safety in our blog. Find more resources from OSHA on hazard communication.
3. Scaffolding (1926.451)
   Scaffolding is addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime and construction. A strong fall protection program can also support proper use and protections on scaffolds. Find more resources from OSHA on scaffolding.
4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
   The regulation addresses preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees service and maintenance equipment. Find more resources from OSHA on lockout/tagout.
5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
   Respirators protect users through the removal of contaminants from the air or by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Find more resources from OSHA on respiratory protection.
6. Ladders (1926.1053)
   A strong fall protection program can also support proper use of ladders. Find more resources from OSHA on fall protection.
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
   Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in many industries, primarily to move materials. Citations for this standard can result from using defective industrial trucks and failure to certify operators. Find more resources from OSHA on powered industrial trucks.
8. Fall Protection, Training Requirements (1926.503)
   This regulation varies from the similarly named top-cited standard in that it references the training related to fall protection, including notification of hazards and documented training records. Reference our blog for information on developing strong fall protection program or see OSHA’s website for more resources on fall protection.
9. Machine Guarding (1910.212)
   Safeguards are essential for protecting workers from injuries from machine parts, functions and processes that may cause injury. Find more resources from OSHA on machine guarding.
10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment, Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)
    These violations sit at the No. 10 spot for the third year in a row. Citations for this standard are most common among roofing contractors failing to use the proper PPE. Find more resources from OSHA on eye and face protection.

Most Cited Violations of 2019

1. Fall Protection (1926.501)
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
3. Scaffolding – General Requirements (1926.451)
4. Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
6. Ladders (1926.1053)
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)
9. Machine Guarding– General Requirement (1910.212)
10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)

Most Cited Violations of 2018

1. Fall Protection (1926.501)
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
3. Scaffolding – General Requirements (1926.451)
4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
5. Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
6. Ladders (1926.1053)
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)
9. Machine Guarding– General Requirement (1910.212)
10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)