OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards – FY 2015
Think of your efforts here as an investment in ‘Penalty Prevention.’
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The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites by federal OSHA for Fiscal Year 2015.
1. 1926.501 – Fall Protection (C)
2. 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication
3. 1926.451 – Scaffolding (C)
4. 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
5. 1910.147 – Lockout/Tagout
6. 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks
7. 1926.1053 – Ladders (C)
8. 1910.305 – Electrical, Wiring Methods
9. 1910.212 – Machine Guarding
10. 1910.303 – Electrical, General Requirements
Note: The standards that are numbered 1926.XXX, numbers 1 (Fall Protection), 3 (Scaffolding) and
7 (Ladders) are construction industry, rather than general industry. Nevertheless, “Fall Protection”
and “Ladders” are relevant in our manufacturing shops as well. Source:
Standards.html
osha.gov/Top_Ten_
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In our work with shops involved in OSHA inspections, we have learned that failure to have
documented training and evidence is more likely to be the root cause of the citation. You must train,
and you must be able to provide documentary evidence of the training.A savvy management will take steps in their shops to find and fi x recognized hazards addressed in these and other standards before OSHA shows up.
Action Steps:
1. Electrical: On your next walk around the shop, look for outlets and power boxes that are not in
good condition and schedule their repair ASAP. If you can see wiring or damage, it is likely
a violation.
2. Machine Guarding: This is a particular area of OSHA emphasis. Are all provided guards in
place, or are they being removed or defeated? Each instance would be a violation.
3. Lockout/Tagout: This, too, is an OSHA emphasis and on their regulatory agenda for review.
Now would be a good time to review and make sure all affected employees have been trained,
the evidence exists of that training and you have audited to assure performance. (If I went into
your shop and saw a machine undergoing a major change-over, would I fi nd it locked out?)
