Dear Reader,

Each year, OSHA publishes the top 10 most frequently cited hazards to alert employers of commonly cited hazards. In recent years, many of the same dangers consistently reappear, and sadly, we continue to see many preventable injuries, illnesses, and deaths related to these hazards. In some cases, identifying and eliminating risks can be straightforward, as OSHA standards offer detailed descriptions of the hazards covered and abatement guidance. Unfortunately, not all hazards are created equally.

Working conditions can change quickly throughout workflows and changes in personnel. There are many standard violations that don’t explicitly require employee training to address this, but require employers to rely on employees to maintain safe workspaces throughout changes in working conditions. This makes training employees to recognize and eliminate potential hazards not only essential to creating safe workplaces, but keeping them safe as well.

In fiscal year 2021, the most frequently cited standards by federal OSHA were ranked as follows:

1. Fall Protection, Construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
2. Respiratory Protection, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
3. Ladders, Construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
4. Hazard Communication, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
5. Scaffolding, Construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
6. Fall Protection Training, Construction (29 CFR 1926.503)
7. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), General Industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
8. Eye and Face Protection, Construction (29 CFR 1926.102)
9. Powered Industrial Trucks, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
10. Machinery and Machine Guarding, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.212)

OSHA’s hazard communication, machine guarding standards, powered industrial trucks, lockout/tagout and fall protection in construction citations are all violations that can easily be avoided by having an established safety and health management program that incorporates effective employee training.

Staying ahead of the compliance curve can be challenging for small employers that lack the personnel or resources. The USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program has provided confidential compliance assistance to thousands of Florida’s small employers for over 20 years and remains committed to helping employers create safer workplaces and avoid costly OSHA fines. To request a free, confidential consultation, please visit https://www.tfaforms.com/4696809 or call toll-free (866) 273-1105.

Stay Safe,

Dr. Brian L. Warrick, PhD, CSP, CIH
Program Director
USF SafetyFlorida