OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Workplace Safety Violations

In what areas do employers get cited most frequently by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety violations? Believe it or not, from year to year, there are some areas that always make the top 10 list of violations.

The consistency of these safety violations shows that dangerous conditions should be predictable to an employer, and they should take steps to address these issues. If you have been injured while executing your job duties, you are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits to pay for your medical treatment, as well as compensation for your lost wages.

According to OSHA, the 10 most common safety violations in 2017 were:

1. Fall protection - general requirements. 6,887 violations. This category includes the requirement that those working above certain heights be protected by guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems.
2. Hazard communication. 4,652 violations. Hazard communication violations include the failure to train employees about how to handle hazardous materials.
3. Scaffolding. 3,697 violations. This type of violation occurs when scaffolding is improperly and unsafely erected.
4. Respiratory protection. 3,381 violations. OSHA requires that respirators be used by employees in certain circumstances.
5. Lockout/tagout. 3,131 violations. This class of violations concerns conditions surrounding energy control procedures.
6. Ladders. 2,567 violations. This category encompasses many aspects of ladder use, from where a ladder can be used to what to do with a ladder that has broken.
7. Powered industrial trucks. 2,349 violations. OSHA requires that operators of forklifts and other types of industrial trucks undergo performance reviews and be properly trained.
8. Machine guarding. 2,109 violations. Dangerous machines must be used with safety guards.
9. Fall protection - training requirements. 1,724 violations. OSHA has regulations that require an employer to provide fall safety training for employees who are at risk of falling, and records of this training must be kept.
10. Electrical wiring methods. 1,530 violations. This group of violations centers on how electrical wiring must be installed to avoid electrocution.

No matter the cause of your injury, and no matter who is at fault, if you have been injured on the job, you should have your medical bills covered and be compensated for a percentage of your lost wages. The outstanding California workers’ compensation attorneys at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. will fight for your rights during this difficult period of your career.

Our attorneys have significant experience in handling workers’ comp claims and in getting our clients the benefits they need. We will take your case to trial and argue it on appeal if necessary, although we will work to get you your benefits as quickly as possible. Call our office today at 408-289-1417 or toll free at 866-433-6797 to schedule a free consultation.

• OSHA’s Top 10 most-cited violations for fiscal year 2017