How Is Your Company Preventing the Top OSHA Workplace Citations?

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Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shares their most cited workplace hazards. The list is a consolidation of more than 30,000 inspections performed by federal OSHA staff, and the big issues are frustratingly similar across all workplaces. More than 4,500 workers are killed on the job every year in the U.S., and about 3 million are injured, most due to infractions in these 10 areas:

  1. Fall Protection
  2. Hazard Communication
  3. Scaffolds
  4. Respiratory Protection
  5. Lockout and Tagout
  6. Powered Industrial Trucks
  7. Ladders
  8. Machine Guarding
  9. Electrical Wiring
  10. Electrical, General Requirements

There are laws in place to protect workers from just these sorts of safety hazards and concerns, but many employers and workers are simply unprepared to take action to prevent these types of accidents. Here are a few suggestions on how you can prevent such occurrences at your workplace.

Fall Protection

Falls are regularly among the leading causes of worker deaths and injury. Citations are often due to lack of simple fall protection such as floor hole covers, guard rail and toe-boards for elevated open-sided platforms, safety harness and lines, nets and handrails. These precautions regularly protect workers from falls.

Hazard Communication

A failure in hazard communication can easily result in accidents on the worksite. Safety is and should be considered everyone’s responsibility and communicating risk should always be a priority so that accidents can be avoided if at all possible.

Scaffolds

OSHA provides unique instruction on how to improve safety of suspended and narrow frame scaffolds. Make sure your company is following the right guidance for your unique situation. Proper construction, use, load and minimization of hazards will help to cut the number of safety incidents associated with scaffolding.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is necessary to prevent long-term, even fatal, health problems from exposure to asbestos, silica, or other toxins. Employers should provide the necessary protection and training to keep their staff safe and healthy.

Lockout/Tagout

Far too many workers are killed or injured every year by machinery that starts up suddenly while being repaired. Proper lockout/tagout procedures ensure that machines are powered off and can’t be turned during maintenance tasks.

Powered Industrial Trucks

Forklifts are notoriously dangerous. Employers can reduce citations (and fatalities) by properly training staff to safely drive such machines.

Ladders

Ladder citations (and accidents) are often the result of improper use of ladders, such as incorrect loads, angles, improper use of rungs, slipping and other improper usage. Review the OSHA guidelines on ladder use to make sure you are in compliance.

Machine Guarding

Machine guarding violations are often to blame for worker deaths and injuries. Make sure your company installs guards to keep hands, feet and other appendages away from moving machinery.

Electrical Requirements

Safety concerns with unprotected exposure to electricity can easily lead to death or serious injury. OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees from dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires and explosions. Make sure your workplace is up to code to help your employees avoid unnecessary injuries… or worse.

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At All-Star Personnel, we pride ourselves on partnering with companies that value workplace safety. To work with a leader in staffing in middle Tennessee, contact our team today!

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