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Could Your Company Pass an OSHA Inspection?
What are OSHA inspectors targeting now? The agency recently released its annual list of Top 10 violations - violations for which OSHA most frequently cites employers. The violations most relevant to employers outside the construction industry include:
- Hazard communication (6,538 violations) - violations can create life-threatening risks! In one incident, an employee lit a lighter to see the level of material inside a barrel. The substance ignited, killing the employee. Proper labeling should have indicated how full the barrel was and that the material inside was combustible.
- Respiratory protection (3,944 violations) - five million US workers are required to wear respirators on the job.
- Lockout/tagout (3,639 violations) - Employees injured in incidents involving lockout/tagout were off work an average of 24 days.
- Powered industrial trucks (3,432 violations) - there were 8,410 injuries connected to the use of powered industrial trucks, such as forklifts.
- Machine guarding (2,748 violations) - this standard also covers anchoring of equipment.
Violations can add up! An Ohio manufacturer was recently fined nearly $90,000 after a 31-year-old employee was killed when a wire rope cable broke, causing the attached bucket to fall and strike the employee. The violations were for failure to provide machine guarding, operating equipment with faulty controls, allowing workers to walk on slippery and cluttered surfaces, and using a ladder on a bent and slippery elevated platform.
Be prepared and avoid costly fines! UEA offers a FREE one-hour safety audit to its members! UEA partners with Al Freauff of AEF Safety to provide members with safety training and consultation. Al brings over 25 years of safety compliance and training experience to UEA members, including service with the Portland Police Bureau and Oregon OSHA. Contact us today to set up your free audit!
