OSHA recently released the top ten violations for fiscal year 2017, which ended September 30.  Generally, this list does not change much from year to year with the top three violations always being fall protection, hazard communication and scaffolding. OSHA noted that not all violations had been added to its reporting system but that the list was not expected to change.

Overall Top Ten Violations for FY 2017 

1. Fall Protection (Construction – 29 CFR 1926.501).  Total of 6,072 violations with frequently violated requirements including failure to provide fall protection for unprotected edges and open sides in residential construction and failure to provide fall protection on low-slope roofs.

2. Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) Total of 4,176 violations with frequently violated requirements for failure to have a written hazard communication program and failure to provide employee access to safety data sheets.

3. Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451) Total of 3,288 violations with the most frequent violations including improper access to surfaces and lack of guardrails.

4. Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) Total of 3,097 violations with the most frequent violations for failure to establish a written respiratory protection program and failure to provide medical evaluations.

5. Lockout/Tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) Total of 2,877 violations with the most frequent violations for employee training and failure to conduct periodic inspections.

6. Ladders (Construction – 29 CFR 1926.1053) Total of 2,241 violations with frequent violations including improper use of ladders, damaged ladders, and using the top step.

7. Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178) Total of 2,162 violations including employee training and refresher training.

8. Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212) Total of 1,933 violations with the most frequent for failure to guard points of operation.

9. Fall Protection—Training (Construction – 29 CFR 1926.503) Total of 1,523 violations with the most frequent for failure to train employees in identifying fall hazards and proper use of fall protection equipment.

10. Electrical (29 CFR 1910.305) Total of 1,405 violations including temporary wiring in lieu of permanent wiring.