09/ 07/ 2007
by Jeffrey Koch, Vice President, NFIB Member Benefits
Safety in the workplace is serious business. So is keeping up with all of the rules and regulations put in place to protect workers and the environment. Avoiding violations of those rules and standards takes time and effort, but it can pay dividends in the form of a safer work environment, avoided penalties and good publicity. Here are the top 10 most commonly violated workplace safety standards for companies with 99 or fewer employees, based on the latest OSHA statistics (October 2005 through September 2006).
1. Scaffolding safety for construction
OSHA requirements are very specific about the type of scaffolding used. OSHA has developed an eTool, which defines requirements for the most common types of supported and suspended scaffolds.
2. Duty to have fall protection
Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level needs to be protected with a guardrail system, a safety net system or a personal fall arrest system. You can find a summary of OSHA fall protection requirements at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/3146.html.
3. Written hazard communication program
You should develop and implement an adequate hazard communication program. What does an adequate program include?
- A written description of how you will ensure that containers are labeled as required.
- A list of hazardous chemicals present at the work site.
- Material safety data sheets for each listed chemical that are readily accessible to employees.
- Employee training about the requirements of the OSHA standard and the hazards of all routine and non-routine tasks in the specific work area.
- Methods for informing other contractors of your program, so their employees can be trained to understand the hazards in your work site.
4. Respiratory protection
This standard relates to avoiding occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors. OSHA has developed an eTool to assist in understanding the regulations, available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/index.html.
5. The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
This standard protects workers servicing equipment from injury caused by the unexpected start up of equipment. OSHA has an interactive training program on lockout/tagout at http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/lototraining/index.htm.
6. Powered industrial trucks
Powered industrial trucks include fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines. OHSA has developed training and reference materials for compliance with safety standards, which you can find at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/ote/trng-materials/pit/pit.html
7. Ladders
OSHA requirements apply to all ladders as indicated, including job-made ladders. Find OSHA's eTools on proper use of portable ladders and avoiding falls at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/falls/ladders.html.
8. Wiring methods, components and equipment for general use
Flexible cords and cables should not be used as a substitute for fixed wiring in your building. You should not run these cords and cables through holes in walls, ceilings or floors.
9. Specific trenching and excavation requirements
OSHA requires that workers in trenches and excavations be protected, and that safety and health programs address the variety of hazards they face, including cave-ins, asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen in a confined space, inhalation of toxic fumes and drowning, as well as electrocution or explosions that can occur when workers contact underground utilities. OSHA's eTool to assist in understanding the requirements is at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/trenching/mainpage.html.
10. General requirements for all machines
This requirement has to do with ensuring machines and tools are in safe working order and in compliance with relevant standards, and identifying hazards associated with the machines in use as well as training workers in order to avoid those hazards.
