OSHA’s Top 10 most cited standards for 2022

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Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501) maintained its position as OSHA’s most frequently cited worker safety and health standard in fiscal year 2022, marking its 12th straight year atop the agency’s “Top 10” list.

Here, Safety+Health presents the Top 10 data for FY 2022 (which concluded Sept. 30), the “penalty box” of the year’s largest fines, an exclusive interview with Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, and a listing of Safety+Health advertisers offering products and services to help you avoid OSHA’s Top 10 most cited violations.

Standard: 1926.501

Total Violations: 5,980

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 1 (5,271 violations)

This standard outlines where fall protection is required, which systems are appropriate for given situations, the proper construction and installation of safety systems, and the proper supervision of employees to prevent falls. It’s designed to protect employees on walking-working surfaces (horizontal or vertical) with an unprotected side or edge above 6 feet.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1910.1200

Total violations: 2,682

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 5 (1,939 violations)

This standard addresses chemical hazards – both those chemicals produced in the workplace and those imported into the workplace. It also governs the communication of those hazards to workers.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1926.1053

Total Violations: 2,471

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 3 (2,018 violations)

This standard covers general requirements for all ladders.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1910.134

Total Violations: 2,430

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 2 (2,521 violations)

This standard directs employers on establishing or maintaining a respiratory protection program. It lists requirements for program administration; worksite-specific procedures; respirator selection; employee training; fit testing; medical evaluation; respirator use; and respirator cleaning, maintenance and repair.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1926.451

Total Violations: 2,285

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 4 (1,943 violations)

This standard covers general safety requirements for scaffolding, which should be designed by a qualified person and constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Employers are bound to protect construction workers from falls and falling objects while working on or near scaffolding at heights of 10 feet or higher.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1910.147

Total Violations: 2,175

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 6 (1,670 violations)

This standard outlines minimum performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1910.178

Total Violations: 1,922

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 9 (1,404 violations)

This standard covers the design, maintenance and operation of powered industrial trucks, including forklifts and motorized hand trucks. It also covers operator training requirements.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1926.503

Total Violations: 1,778

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 7(1,660 violations)

This standard addresses training requirements for employers in regard to fall protection.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1926.102

Total Violations: 1,582

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 8 (1,451 violations)

This standard addresses appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards, such as flying particles and chemical gases or vapors.

TOP 4 SECTIONS CITED:

Standard: 1910.212

Total Violations: 1,488

Fiscal year 2021 ranking: 10 (1,105 violations)

This standard covers guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from hazards, including those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.

TOP 5 SECTIONS CITED:

*Tables based on OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022. Data was current as of Oct. 14.

As defined by OSHA: A “serious” violation is “one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.”

Defined by OSHA: A “willful” violation is one “committed with an intentional disregard of or plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and requirements.”

Safety+Health advertisers offer products and services to help you avoid OSHA’s Top 10 most cited standards

Sponsored byHoneywell

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