At the end of each calendar year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes a combined list of both General Industry (1910) and Construction (1926) Top 10 standards violations. Reviewing OSHA’s annual Top 10 violations list to identify weak areas in your company’s safety program list is a good practice. While the list typically remains consistent from year to year, it is important to continue to address these issues regularly with employees. Complacency equals increased risk. Use our toolbox talk to review some of these common missteps, and be certain your company remains vigilant in its safety commitment.

Programs and procedures alone may get your organization to compliance, but creating a safety culture in your workplace will truly reduce risk and help keep your employees safe. Training staff and instilling safe behaviors will go a long way towards getting everyone home safe each day.

2018 OSHA Top 10 Violations List

1. Fall Protection, General Requirements Standard – 1926.50

  • Outlines where fall protection is required, which systems are appropriate for given situations, construction and installation safety systems, and the proper employee supervision to prevent falls.
  • Designed to protect employees on walking/working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge above 6 feet.
  • Total Violations – 7,216
  • 2017 Ranking – #1 with 6,887

2. Hazard Communication Standard – 1910.1200

  • Addresses chemical hazards for chemicals produced in the workplace and those imported into the workplace and outlines the proper hazard communication to workers.
  • Total Violations – 4,537
  • 2017 Ranking – #2 with 4,652

3. Scaffolding Standard – 1926.461

  • 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 required to protect construction workers from falls and falling objects while working on or near scaffolding at heights of 10 feet or higher.
  • Total Violations – 3,319
  • 2017 Ranking – #3 with 3,697

4. Respiratory Protection Standard – 1910.134

  • Directs employers in establishing/maintaining a respiratory protection program and lists requirements for program administration; worksite specific procedures; respirator selections; employee training; fit testing; medical evaluation; respirator use; and respirator cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
  • Total Violations – 3,112
  • 2017 Ranking – #4 with 3,381

5. Lock-Out/Tag-Out Standard – 1910.147

  • Outlines the minimum performance requirements for hazardous energy control during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment.
  • Total Violations – 2,923
  • 2017 Ranking – #5 with 3,131

6. Ladders Standard – 1926.1053

  • Covers general requirements for all ladders.
  • Total Violations – 2,280
  • 2017 Ranking – #6 with 2,567

7. Powered Industrial Trucks Standard – 1910.178

  • Covers powered industrial truck design, maintenance, operation, and operator training requirements.
  • Includes forklifts and motorized hand trucks
  • Total Violations – 2,281
  • 2017 Ranking – #7 with 2,281

8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements Standard – 1926.503

  • Addresses fall protection training requirements.
  • Total Violations – 1,978
  • 2017 Ranking – #9 with 1,724

9. Machine Guarding Standard – 1910.212

  • Covers machinery guarding to protect operators/employees from hazards.
  • Total Violations – 1,969
  • 2017 Ranking – #8 with 2,109

10. Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection Standard – 1926.102

  • Addresses appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards, such as flying particles and chemical gases or vapors.
  • Total Violations – 1,528
  • 2017 Ranking – Unranked

RETTEW can assist your company with policy reviews, behavior based program development, and required training. Contact Kelly Kramer, CECD, HEM, at 800.738.8395 to schedule a consultation.

Additional Offerings

Safety training and consulting are only some of RETTEW’s 600+ services. Our safety team works hand in hand with engineers, scientists, project managers, and other technical experts at places such as manufacturing facilities, drill pads, and commercial construction sites. We are well respected in many industries and known for ensuring workers and equipment remain safe, which keeps your projects on track and your bottom line growing.