Workers can suffer injuries in virtually any part of any job. And while some occupations are more dangerous than others are, certain risks can affect just about every industry. To prevent accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains extensive rules and regulations for what constitutes a safe work environment, no matter where a person works.
OSHA also keeps track of the most common violations of these standards. This list, which OSHA releases every year, sheds light on the hazardous conditions that workers may face most often.
As noted in a release from OSHA, the top 10 most common violations in 2018 were:
- Failure to have fall protection systems
- Inadequate information regarding hazardous material and chemicals
- Failed scaffolding standards
- Respiratory protection from contaminated air
- Lacking protection against release of hazardous energy or unexpected startup of a machine
- Failed ladder requirements
- Failed industrial truck requirements
- Inadequate training programs for employees exposed to fall hazards
- Insufficient or flawed protections for operators and employers against machine hazards
- Inappropriate use of eye or face protection for workers exposed to hazards
Why is this list important?
These violations can and do lead to serious, catastrophic injuries to employees. As such, knowing what they are can provide a good starting place to tackle unsafe conditions.
When employers know where most violations occur, they can focus resources on preventing and resolving those unsafe conditions. Employees with this information can use extreme caution in these environments to avoid an accident.
Safety hazards on the job can result in costly, painful injuries for employees. As such, addressing them as quickly as possible can be in everyone’s best interests.
