12/01/2003
OSHA Lists Most Frequently Violated Standards
In scanning the massive printout of violations just issued by OSHA, the most frequently cited standard for General Industry for fiscal year 2003 came as no surprise. Once again, it was:
1. Hazard Communication (1910.1200), with 7,009 violations and $1,327,425 in penalties. This was up from 6,951 violations in fiscal year 2002, which had $1.24 million in adjusted penalties.
2. Control of Hazardous Energy, Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) moves up a slot with 4,681 violations and $4,209,707 in penalties.
3. Respiratory Protection (1910.134) was down one place from last year with 4.130 violations and $1,216,059 in penalties.
4. General Requirements for Machines (1910.212) had 3,495 violations and $3,783,595 in penalties and switched places with:
5. Electrical: Wiring Methods, Components, and Equipment for General Use (1910.305) with 3,211 violations and $1,312,460 in penalties.
Rounding out the top 10 most violated standards in General Industry were:
6. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)--2,858 violations and $1,788,139 in penalties
7. Bloodborne Pathogens (1910.1030) up from 9th place, with 2,508 violations and $1,272,355 in penalties
8. Electrical Systems Design, General Requirements (1910.303), with 2,303 violations and $1,293,720 in penalties
9. Mechanical Power-Transmission Apparatus (1910.219)--2,281 violations and $1,149,325 in penalties
10. Personal Protective Equipment General Requirements 1910.132), with 1,883 violations and $1,313,152 in penalties
Numbers 6 and 10 held the same rank as last year, while 7, 8, and 9 switched around in between.