Page 10 - OHS, Nov/Dec 2023

OSHA TOP 10 OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for FY 2023 A look at each standard and OSHA’s guidelines and requirements as part of year’s list. BY ROBERT YANIZ, JR. Every year at the National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo, OSHA reveals its Top 10 Most Fre- quently Cited Standards for that fiscal year. At the 2023 event, Eric Harbin, regional administrator for OSHA Re- gion 6, shared preliminary data for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023), accounting for violations cited from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 29, 2023. 10) Machine Guarding As was the case in 2022, Machine Guarding fills in the last spot on the OSHA top 10. This year’s figures saw the number of violations increase from 1,370 to 1,644 in FY 2023. Plastic products manu- facturing companies were the most likely to receive a citation for machinery. The OSHA standard 1910.212 outlines the requirements for machinery and machine guarding, including those that com- monly require guards. Employees working with or near such machinery can encounter an array of hazards, including those associated with “rotating parts” and “sparks.” 9) Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection Although still at number 9 on the OSHA list, the number of viola- tions for Eye and Face Protection increased significantly. In FY 2023, the agency cited 2,074 violations, nearly 700 more than last year. The top industry cited for these protections was roofing contractors. OSHA Standard 1926.102 mandates employers to provide suitable eye and face protection for workers exposed to hazards such as “flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors or potentially injuri- ous light radiation.” Research has shown comfort, fit and ease of cleaning are paramount in boosting compliance. 8) Fall Protection – Training Requirements Yet another entry on the list to retain its place on OSHA’s list is Fall Protection - Training Requirements. In FY 2023, the agency cited 2,112 violations, a rise from the previous year’s 1,556 viola- tions. Roofing contractors were among the most frequently cited industries here too. OSHA’s standard on fall protection, 1926.503, mandates that employers implement a training program that includes guidance and strategies to govern these systems. Employers are required to maintain a written certification record of employees’ participa- tion and completion of the program. Retraining is required if an employee needs it or if training or equipment becomes obsolete. 7) Respiratory Protection Dropping from number 3 in FY 2022, Respiratory Protection slips down to number 7 with 2,481 violations. However, it was cited more in FY 2023 than the previous year, when it had 2,185 violations. Automotive paint and body shops were most likely cited for these violations. Selecting the appropriate respiratory protection for workers, according to OSHA standard 1910.134, involves an exposure as- sessment to identify the type and level of hazardous exposure workers might face. Additional considerations include under- standing the job site, worker characteristics, and other factors. 6) Lockout/Tagout Often considered a subset of controlling hazardous energy, Lock- out/Tagout (LOTO) remains in sixth place on OSHA’s list, though this category rose nearly 600 from 1,977 violations in FY 2022 to 2,554 violations in FY 2023. It also had the second most willful violations on this list. OSHA’s standard 1910.147 outlines the protocols for control- ling hazardous energy, including implementing an energy con- trol program. This process prevents accidental activation of a machine during maintenance that can result in severe injuries or even fatalities. Training in LOTO procedures is mandatory, with retraining when necessary. 5) Powered Industrial Trucks Rising from 1,749 violations in FY 2022 to 2,561 violations in FY 2023, Powered Industrial Trucks remains at number 5. It’s one of the few categories included in OSHA’s list not to heavily factor into the construction industry. Its top industry cited was plastic product manufacturing. OSHA Standard 1910.178 addresses safety requirements tied to “fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines,” though not other indus- trial trucks or farm vehicles. OSHA’s mandate features a comprehensive collection of provi- sions that govern how employers and workers use these vehicles. These mandatory guidelines include operator training and certifica- tion, pre-shift inspections, and operating environment restrictions. 4) Scaffolding Scaffolding is at number 4 on OSHA’s list, rising one spot from its placement on the FY 2022 list. However, the number of violations increased significantly from 2,058 to 2,859 violations in FY 2023. In addition, masonry contractors were the most cited industry for this type of violation. This OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1926.451, mandates every scaf- fold and its components must bear its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load. The platform should be a minimum of 18 inches wide and equipped with a guardrail or a personal fall arrest system. However, the installation of guardrails isn’t always required. In some cases, workers may be adequately protected even without this safety feature. OSHA’s standards underline the role of struc- tural integrity and protective measures in preventing scaffolding- related accidents. 10 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com