Fall hazards, hazard communication lead 2016 OSHA top violations

Fall protection and hazard communication were OSHA’s most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2016.

The annual list of violations is nearly identical to OSHA’s 2016 list, indicating similar safety issues persist in the construction industry. 

The Top 10 violations (number of violations cited) for FY 2016 are:

1.       Fall Protection, 1926.501 (C) (6,929)

2.       Hazard Communication, 1910.1200 (5,677)

3.       Scaffolds, 1926.451 (C) (3,906)

4.       Respiratory Protection, 1910.134 (3,585)

5.       Lockout/Tagout, 1910.147 (3,414)

6.       Powered Industrial Trucks, 1910.178 (2,860)

7.       Ladders, 1926.1053 (C) (2,639)

8.       Machine Guarding, 1910.212 (2,451)

9.       Electrical Wiring, 1910.305 (1,940)

10.    Electrical, General Requirements, 1910.303 (1,704)

This is a preliminary list that will be updated in December.