TOP OSHA Citations by Industry

OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a government agency that enforces workplace safety regulations in the United States. One of their primary functions is to conduct inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with these regulations. When violations are found, OSHA can issue citations and penalties. In this blog post, we will explore the top OSHA citations by high-risk industry.

Construction Industry:

The construction industry is one of the highest-risk industries for workplace injuries and fatalities. The top OSHA citations for the construction industry include fall protection, scaffolding, and ladders. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, accounting for about one-third of all fatalities. OSHA requires that employers provide fall protection equipment and training to all employees working at heights of six feet or more. Scaffolding and ladder violations typically involve inadequate or improper use of the equipment, which can lead to falls or other injuries.

Manufacturing Industry:

The manufacturing industry also has a high rate of workplace injuries and fatalities. The top OSHA citations for this industry include hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout), machine guarding, and respiratory protection. Hazardous energy control refers to procedures used to ensure that machinery or equipment is de-energized and cannot be started up accidentally during maintenance or servicing. Failure to properly control hazardous energy can result in serious injuries or death. Machine guarding violations typically involve inadequate or missing guards on machinery, which can result in workers being caught in or struck by moving parts. Respiratory protection violations often involve failure to properly fit, use, or maintain respiratory protection equipment, which can result in respiratory illness or injury.

Transportation Industry:

The transportation industry includes a variety of businesses, from trucking companies to airlines to public transportation providers. The top OSHA citations for this industry include powered industrial trucks (forklifts), hazard communication, and fall protection. Forklift violations typically involve inadequate training or use of the equipment, which can result in serious injuries or death. Hazard communication violations in transportation often involve failure to properly label hazardous materials being transported or failure to provide adequate information about the hazards of the materials. Fall protection violations in transportation typically involve working at heights, such as on top of a truck or bus, without proper fall protection equipment or training.

Healthcare Industry:

The healthcare industry is not typically thought of as a high-risk industry, but it has its share of workplace hazards. The top OSHA citations for this industry include bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication, and respiratory protection. Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms that can be transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. OSHA requires that employers provide training and protective equipment to employees who may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Hazard communication violations often involve failure to properly label hazardous materials or provide employees with adequate information about the hazards of the materials they are working with. Respiratory protection violations in healthcare typically involve failure to provide employees with appropriate respiratory protection equipment when working with infectious or hazardous materials.

Workplace safety is essential for all industries, but some industries are inherently more hazardous than others. OSHA citations can help employers identify areas of their operations where they need to improve safety practices and procedures. The top OSHA citations by high-risk industry are just a few examples of the types of hazards that workers face every day. Employers must take steps to protect their workers from these hazards, including providing training, appropriate equipment, and clear communication about the risks they face on the job. Schedule a one-time or regularly-reoccurring site audit today with Safety Plus or sign up for SafetyPlusWeb to help identify and correct safety hazards before they become another costly OSHA citation.