Each year, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compiles its Top 8 OSHA Safety Violations list, which lists the most frequent Safety violations found during workplace inspections during the previous year. OSHA requires every company and job site to know what information is included in their report.
They urge safety professionals and team members to use it to assess compliance as a benchmark against which injuries could arise or when inspectors visit an establishment, in addition to making plans in advance for any inspections that might arrive unexpectedly.
This article OSHA Safety Violations will assist in understanding violations, and providing solutions so you can take immediate steps today to avoid injury at your workplace, next section you will find OSHA Safety Violations, how this happened? and how to control them.
Top OSHA Safety Violations
As we know, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is powered to guide each employer to avoid any incident happening at the site, for they have to publish their mistakes around the world to show where are lacking and how to avoid them in the future, let’s read the below paragraph:-
1. Working at Height Violations
Every year falls from height claim the lives of almost 250 workers. The top five reasons for worker injuries and missed work hours also include falls to a lower level. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and a range of engineering controls are used in effective fall protection strategies to help guarantee worker safety.
- Failed to protect and cover open sides and edges
- Failed to prevent falls from roofs
- Unprotected holes on the way
- Lack of fall protection equipment
- Improper fall protection equipment used
How to control these violations?
- Prepare a plan that addresses falling hazards and procedures for activities, leading-edge work, unprotected sides, edges, and other hazards.
- Consider the use of elevated platforms (Scaffolding) or aerial lifts to provide safer working surfaces
- Use guardrail systems with toeboards or
- Use Warning Signs
- Protect Holes with a signboard
- Use safety net and mesh systems
- Training about the proper use of fall protection equipment
- Install safety gates on fixed ladders and raised platforms to prevent falls.
2. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Violations
Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and other power sources are all covered by OSHA’s lockout/tagout regulations. By protecting workers who operate or maintain machinery and equipment, adherence to this standard helps to avert around 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries annually. The most frequent violations are:-
- Very low or no energy control
- Lack of procedures or program
- Inadequate worker training about LOTO procedures
- Inspection not completed on time
- Periodic evaluations were not conducted
- LOTO devices not applied while maintenance
How to Control these violations?
- Identify energy sources at all operation site
- Develop, document, implement, and enforce energy control procedures
- Ensure that lockout/tagout devices are used and that they identify each user
- Establish the procedures for LOTO
- Only the employee who applied a lockout/tagout device to remove it
- Provide effective training for all employees covered by the standard
3. Scaffolding Violations
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that over 72% of falls and other accidents on scaffolds are caused by weak, insecure platforms. Scaffolds used by around 2.3 million construction workers might prevent an estimated 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities annually if they are built and maintained properly, Below are some violations recorded:-
- Insecure Scaffold platform and not fully planked
- Cross braces are used as a means of access
- Unleveled walking/working surfaces
- Scaffolds unable to support the weight of people and equipment
- Scaffold construction problems, including lack of guardrails
- Improper access to scaffolding surfaces
- Failure to inspect the scaffold daily
- Not placed in firm foundations
- Not checking Scaff Tag before use
How to control these violations?
- Make sure the scaffold platform has precisely spaced planks and is strong enough to hold four times the maximum weight that is designed for it.
- Build scaffolds on stable ground.
- Never support scaffolds or boards with barrels, crates, loose bricks, or concrete blocks.
- Provide guardrails, mid rails, and toeboards on scaffolds.
- Replace or repair broken ladders, screw legs, trusses, brackets, and braces right away.
- The scaffold should be at least ten feet away from electrical power cables.
- Scaffolds should not be moved while workers are on them unless specifically made for that purpose and workers have received the necessary training.
- Before and during usage, make sure the scaffold is clear of any snow, ice, or other items that could cause slippage.
- Regularly check scaffolding structures to ensure safety.
4. Forklifts Violations
Powered industrial trucks, also referred to as forklifts or lift trucks, are utilized for raising, lowering, and moving boxes, pallets, crates, and containers. Every year, around 95,000 workers have injuries while using forklifts, below are common violations recorded:-
- Insufficient training for operators and refreshers.
- Lifts being used by unqualified or unlicensed personnel.
- No lanyards or seatbelts are used while lifting
- Use of lift against manufacturer’s recommendations.
- When motorized industrial trucks were repaired and put back into operation, they were in poor condition.
- Unsafe practices in locations where batteries are charged.
How to Control these violations?
- Make that all operators are certified, trained, and capable of using forklifts safely.
- Provide reviews and refresher training.
- Every day, check the equipment, such as the tires, steering forks, brakes, and horns.
- Without the manufacturer’s express written consent, do not alter or add accessories that compromise the forklift’s capacity or safe operation.
- While driving, seatbelts should always be worn.
- Allow battery charging only in locations that have been set aside, especially for that use.
- Stop electrical arcs, sparks, and open flames in places where batteries are being charged.
- Take dangerous and broken trucks out of commission.
- Forklift operators must complete both initial and refresher training to continue operating forklifts safely.
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5. Machine Guard Violations
According to OSHA estimates, machines are accountable for 10% of workplace injuries. One type of technical control that can be utilized at places of operation to offer a first line of defense against machine risks is a machine guard. Machine guards that are fitted correctly can assist prevent wounds including burns, abrasions, blindness, and amputations, Below are some violations recorded:-
- Exposures at the point of operation.
- Fixture anchoring is either insufficient or nonexistent.
- blade exposure.
- guards not incorporated into machinery.
- Fan blades left uncovered.
How to Control these violations?
- Assess each piece of machinery for potential threats.
- Select machine guards that don’t produce new hazards, are easy to maintain, and are long-lasting.
- Regularly assess how guards are being used.
- Keep regular maintenance.
Employees using machinery pose the risk of suffering cuts, burns, and bruises in addition to losing their eyesight and limbs if machine guards are not present.
6. Electrical Violations
While engineers and electricians are frequently the first to work directly with electrical wiring, splicing, and ground fault systems, many other job types—such as office and administrative staff—can also have an indirect impact on adherence to this standard. Fires and accidents from electrical shock can be prevented when all staff members are knowledgeable about the fundamentals of electrical equipment, wiring, insulation, and grounding, below are the common violations:-
- Issues with damaged wires and cords.
- Issues with temporary wiring.
- Improper handling of extension cables.
- Using makeshift wiring in place of permanent wiring.
- Not shielding lightbulbs from harm.
- neglecting to seal circuit breaker openings and electrical box knockout.
- Flexible cables and cords go through doors, windows, floors, ceilings, and walls in an unsafe manner.
- Inadequate insulating or grounding hand tools.
How to Control these violations?
- Examine and identify any electrical risks.
- Wherever permanent wiring is required, install it.
- To reduce the amount of extension cables used, think about adding more outlets.
- Ascertain appropriate grounding and bonding.
By talking to all of the employees about the facility’s electrical equipment and wiring, you can lower the risk of fire and shock injuries.
7. PPE’s Violations
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, there are around 2,000 occupational eye injuries caused by flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acidic or caustic liquids, chemical fumes, and harmful light radiation per day. The failure to wear face and eye protection accounts for about 60% of these injuries. Below are some violations recorded:-
- No protection for the face or eyes.
- inappropriate face or eye protection for the job.
- improper evaluation of the risks.
How to Control these violations?
- Conduct Risk assessments to identify any gaps.
- Reduce the requirement for PPE by utilizing engineering controls.
- Make sure everyone gets PPE that fits properly and doesn’t provide a second risk by providing a range of suitable face and eye protection.
- Employees should receive training on how to properly maintain and replace their eyewear and facial protection.
8. Respiratory Violations
An estimated 5 million workers are protected from dangers such as dangerous chemical vapors, smoke, mist, fog, sprays, dusts, and low oxygen environments by written respiratory protection plans, Below are some of the violations recorded:-
- Absence of a documented respiratory protection scheme.
- Either a fit test program is absent or the processes are poor.
- Inappropriate method for choosing respirators.
- Absence of policies governing the voluntary use of respirators.
- Failing to keep records and conduct medical examinations.
- Failure to keep respirators clean and maintained.
How to Control these violations?
- Create a written respiratory protection program that targets particular workplace risks.
- Choose the proper respirators.
- Provide workers with training on the appropriate donning, doffing, restrictions, and maintenance of respirators.
- Provide personnel who must wear respirators with a medical evaluation and a fit test.
- Make plans for respirator maintenance, including cleaning, disinfecting, storing, and repairing.
- Respiratory protection should be worn by employees who frequently come into contact with smoke, chemicals, and other airborne contaminants.
Conclusion
The workplace is always a hazard for each employee, and maintaining these and controlling the associated hazards along with violations is crucial for each workplace to avoid any accident and injury, These OSHA Safety Violations will be helpful for you to understand the risks and how to control them efficiently.
