Preventable deaths and workplace accidents continue to occur at the hands of saw blades and conveyor belts. The data has been collected in the annual OSHA Top Ten Violation Report for 2015, which reveals that the total number of incidents were down 4.5 percent from 2014, and 11 percent from 2013. Graphic Products has analyzed the data and outlined preventative measures to ensure worksites not only meet OSHA compliance, but provide safety resources to equip workers.
“OSHA's Top 10 Violations are concerning as we see the same categories each year,” said Jeff Woods, Safety Compliance Analyst at Graphic Products. “It's tragic when many violations are preventable. Designating a person-in-charge (PIC) can greatly reduce the likelihood of these incidents.”
OSHA's Top 10 Safety Violations for 2015 include:
- Fall Protection: 7,402 citations (1926.501) – OSHA’s most-cited violation for the fifth year running.
- Hazard Communication: 5,681 citations (1910.1200) – The second-most cited violation for the fourth year running, though HazCom chemical labeling rules may have contributed to an overall decline of nearly 20 percent.
- Scaffolding: 4,681 citations (1926.451) – Despite a 6 percent decrease from 2014, scaffolding accidents remained the third-most cited violation. Protecting workers from scaffold-related accidents would eliminate 4,500 injuries and 35-50 deaths every year.
- Respiratory Protection: 3,626 citations (1910.134) – An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million U.S. workplaces.
- Lockout/Tagout: 3,308 citations (1910.147) – Approximately 3 million workers are at risk each day if LO/TO is not properly implemented.
- Powered Industrial Trucks: 3,004 citations (1910.178) – Powered industrial trucks fall over, hit and crush people, or start up inadvertently, causing accident or death.
- Ladders: 2,732 citations (1926.1053) – Used throughout plants and warehouses, falls from ladders are often involved in occupational fatalities.
- Electrical–Wiring Methods: 2,624 citations (1910.305) – Most electrical accidents result from unsafe equipment, unsafe environments, or unsafe work practices.
- Machine Guarding: 2,540 citations (1910.212) – Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness.
- Electrical-General Requirements: 2,181 citations (1910.303) – Electrical hazards are the second-leading cause of death in the construction industry, killing an average of 143 construction workers each year, according to The Center for Construction Research and Training.
“No matter the size of the operation or the number of employees, the number of injuries and incidents decreases sharply when groups of five appoint a PIC.” Woods said. “If you haven't already, designate a PIC. Then use this guide to identify common safety violations, and learn how to avoid making the same costly mistakes in your facility.”
Graphic Products is a provider of solutions for safety and visual communication.