Tuesday, January 10, 2012

OHSA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for Fiscal 2011 (Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011)

The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites by federal OSHA. OSHA publishes this list to alert employers about these commonly cited standards so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards addressed in these and other standards before OSHA shows up. Far too many preventable injuries and illnesses occur in the workplace.
1. 1926.451 – Scaffolding
2. 1926.501 – Fall Protection
3. 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication
4. 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
5. 1910.147 – Lockout/Tagout
6. 1910.305 – Electrical, Wiring Methods
7. 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks
8. 1926.1053 – Ladders
9. 1910.303 – Electrical, General Requirements
10. 1910.212 – Machine Guarding

Resources for Most Frequently CitedStandards
Common Sense Counsel: It is advised that you have a comprehensive safety audit conducted ASAP. The next time OSHA “comes to help you” the cost of being in the wrong just went up.

Tommy Eden is a resident of Auburn, an attorney with the local office of Capell & Howard, P.C. and a member of the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law and serves on the Board of Directors for the East Alabama SHRM Chapter. He can be contacted at tme@chlaw.com or 334-501-1540.

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