OSHA’s top construction safety violations

Once again, fall protection tops the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) list of top construction safety violations for the fiscal year 2012.  It was the top violation in 2011, and number two in 2010. In fact, the top construction safety violations have remained the same for the last three years: fall protection, hazard communication and scaffolding.

The OSHA’s list of most-cited construction safety violations in 2012:

1. Fall protection (1926.501) – 7,250 violations. This standard outlines when fall protection is required, which systems are appropriate for which jobs and proper supervision to prevent falls.
2. Hazard communication (1910.1200) – 4,696 violations. This standard addresses the hazards of chemicals on the jobsite.
3. Scaffolding (1926.451) – 3,814 violations. This standard covers general safety requirements for scaffolding.
4. Respiratory protection (1910.134) – 2,371 violations. This standard outlines a respiratory protection program.
5. Ladders (1926.1053) – 2,310 violations. This system covers general requirements for all ladders.
6. Machine guarding (1910.212) – 2.097 violations. This standard covers guarding of machinery to protect operators and bystanders.
7. Powered industrial trucks (1910.178) – 1.993 violations. This standard covers design, maintenance and operation of forklifts and hand trucks.
8. Electrical – wiring methods (1910.305) – 1,744 violations. This standard itemizes the requirements for grounding of electrical equipment, wiring and insulation.
9. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) 1,572 violations. This standard provides requirements during maintenance of machines and equipment.
10. Electrical – general requirements (1910.303) – 1,332 violations. This standard includes general safety requirements for designing electrical systems.

For more information about construction safety violations, visit nsc.org.