Each year OSHA releases a list of 10 most frequently cited safety and health violations for the fiscal year.

They recently released a list for 2016 and these were the violations that were most cited:

1. Fall protection

2.Hazard communication

3. Scaffolds

4. Respiratory protection

5. Lockout/ Tag out

6. Powered Industrial trucks

7. Ladders

8. Machine guarding

9. Electrical wiring

10. Electrical, general requirements

Each year more than 4500 workers lose their lives on the job, and 3 million are usually injured on the job. The purpose for the list being released is for the hopes that employers start taking these specific areas more seriously.

Fall protection coming in at 1 is no surprise. Shocking to believe but some employers and employees cut corners with proper equipment and training. Falls are also one of the leading causes of death and injury in the workplace, so one of the first places OSHA checks for violations is in fall protection.

Training and proper equipment usage seem to be a reoccurring theme in most of these violations. Training means employees will know proper usage of any machinery or equipment they handle. Training also tells employees what the right protocol is in certain situations.

Improper maintenance and identification leads to serious injuries. Machine guarding prevents anyone reaching or falling into something they are not supposed to reach or fall into. Hazard communication is basically to tell employees when they need to take caution around certain chemicals, or certain areas in their workplace.

If you are an employer take note of these violations. Keep your workers safe and learn what you need to do to not get cited for these common violations. For more information on what you need to know for your specific job field check out our site and give Calolympic safety a call.