The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more commonly known as OSHA, was created by Congress in 1971 after passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The organization is responsible for establishing and enforcing safety regulations designed to protect workers in the United States. OSHA also provides training, outreach, education, and assistance to employers and workers. OSHA covers most but not all private sector employers and their workers, usually through state agencies that regulate public sector employers.
During this year’s National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo in Indianapolis, the Deputy Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs announced OSHA’s preliminary top ten most cited violations for the fiscal year. The violations are:
- Fall Protection in Construction: Frequently violated requirements include unprotected edges and open sides in residential construction, and failure to provide fall protection on low-slope roofs.
- Hazard Communication: Not having a hazard communication program was the top violation in this category, followed by not having or not providing access to safety data sheets.
- Scaffolding: Improper access to surfaces and lack of guardrails were frequent violations.
- Respiratory Protection: The top violation in this category was a failure to establish a respiratory protection program, followed by failure to provide medical evaluations.
- Lockout/Tagout: Inadequate worker training and incomplete inspections were frequent violations.
- Ladders in Construction: Use of ladders, damaged ladders, and using the top step topped the list.
- Powered Industrial Trucks: Violations included inadequate worker training and refresher training.
- Machine Guarding: Exposure to points of operation was the top violation in this category.
- Fall Protection – Training Requirements: Failing to train workers in identifying fall hazards and proper use of fall protection equipment were common violations.
- Electrical – Wiring Methods: Violations in this area were found in most general industry sectors, including food and beverage, retail, and manufacturing.
Wilmington Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Advocate on Behalf of Injured Workers
If you were injured on the job because of an OSHA violation, consult an experienced Wilmington work injury lawyer at Rhoades & Morrow. Call (302) 427-9500 today or contact us online for a free and confidential evaluation of your case. We have offices conveniently located in Wilmington, Bear, and Milford, Delaware, allowing us to represent clients upstate and downstate.
