The 10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Violations in 2019

OSHA

OSHA

updated 12-8-19: updated with the finalized numbers from fiscal year 2019.

At the National Safety Council Congress & Expo on September 10, 2019, OSHA’s deputy director of Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Patrick Kapust, announced their preliminary list of the 10 most frequently cited safety violations for their fiscal year 2019.

While the report covers general industry and construction, 5 of the top ten standards most cited this year were from the construction standards 29 CFR 1926.  The others, from 1910, cover general industry. 

#1 through #3 remained the same from 2018 to 2019. Respiratory Protection and Lockout/Tagout flipping spots at #4 and #5 year over year were the only shake ups in the list this year, as #6 through #10 also remained the same versus 2018.

The 5 construction standards that made this list were: Fall Protection – General Requirements, Scaffolding, Ladders, and Fall Protection – Training Requirements, and Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection. All were on the list last year, as well.

5 of the standards saw an increase in citations as compared to 2018 and the other 5 saw increases. Notably, Fall Protection - General Requirements saw a decrease from 7,216 violations in 2018 to 7,014 in 2019 and Hazard Communication dropped from 4,537 to 4,170.

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)

  • 7,014 violations

2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)  

  • 4,170 violations

3. Scaffolding (1926.451)   

  • 3,228 violations

4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)  

  • 2,975 violations

5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)

  • 2,826 violations

6. Ladders (1926.1053)

  • 2,766 violations

7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)

  • 2,347 violations

8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)

  • 2,059 violations

9. Machine Guarding (1910.212)    

  • 1,987 violations

10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)

  • 1,630 violations

More information: OSHA Reveals Top 10 Violations for 2019 at NSC Congress & Expo | PR Newswire

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