A good start to developing or updating your 2024 Safety Program, would be to review OSHA’s “Top 10” most frequently cited safety violations (2023 Top 10 is listed below). Review these issues with your team and how they may impact your operations. Lack of compliance to OSHA regulations can result in large fines (see two examples below), so Safety Program components should be audited monthly to ensure full and ongoing compliance.
The Top 10 safety violations and the top hazard(s) cited for each:
#1 Fall Protection – General Requirements
. Guardrails for activities 6 feet or more above lower level.
. Holes: Employees on a walking/working surface shall be protected from holes by covers.
#2 Hazard Communication
. Develop, implement and maintain a written hazard communication program at each location.
. Provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their area.
. Maintain and keep readily accessible in the workplace copies of required Safety Data Sheets for each hazardous chemical.
#3 Ladders
. Only used for purposes which they were designed.
. Top or top step of ladder shall not be used as a step.
. Ladders with structural defects shall be marked defective or “Do Not Use” and removed from service.
#4 Scaffolding
. Employees on scaffolding more than 10 feet above lower level must be protected from falling.
. Provide adequate guardrails, fall protection and support.
#5 Powered Industrial Trucks
. Must be operated in a safe manner at all times.
. Each operator must be adequately trained, evaluated and certified to operate, with refresher training and evaluations.
. Must be examined/documented, at least daily, before being placed into service.
#6 Lockout/Tagout
. Must develop and comply with written program regarding energy control procedures.
. Employees to be trained on lockout/tagout procedures.
#7 Respiratory Protection
. Provide medical evaluation to determine employees’ ability to use respirator.
. Respirator must be fit-tested prior to initial use.
. A written respiratory protection program must be in place.
#8 Fall Protection – Training Requirements
. Employer must provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards.
. Fall training must have a written certification.
#9 Personal Protection & Life Saving Equipment: Eye/Face Protection
. All affected employees must wear eye or face protection.
#10 Machine Guarding
. Guarding must be provided on machines with nip points, rotating parts, flying chips/sparks, etc.
The penalties OSHA assesses for failure to adhere to the above and other safe workplace practices can be significant, especially if there are repeat and willful violations. Two 2023 examples:
- A Discount Retailer agreed to pay a $1.35 million OSHA penalty over store safety violations. In the agreement, the retailer must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the root causes of the repeated violations and make operational changes to correct them. Issues cited include: blocked exits, access to fire extinguishers and electrical panels and improper material storage at stores.
- Another Discount Retailer was fined over $340,00 for three repeat, two serious and three other than serious violations. Issues cited include: blocked exit routes; electrical hazards; tripping hazard; and no working employee restroom.
Let’s all try to make 2024 a safe year! $
