Every December, Safety+Health presents the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA violations from the previous fiscal year. Throughout 2012, S+H will go beyond the annual Top 10 by presenting violations 11-30. The data*, supplied by OSHA, represents violations cited in FY 2011 (Oct. 1, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2011).
Electrical – Wiring Design and Protection
Standard: 1926.404
This standard requires the use and identification of grounded and grounding conductors.
Total violations: 953
Serious violations: 792
Willful violations: 0
Repeat violations: 15
Total initial penalties proposed: $1.72 million
Excavation – Protective Systems Requirements
Standard: 1926.652
This standard requires adequate systems to protect employees from cave-ins while engaged in excavation work.
Total violations: 937
Serious violations: 651
Willful violations: 84
Repeat violations: 119
Total initial penalties proposed: $7.69 million
*The data presented does not reflect all violations cited by OSHA during fiscal year 2011. OSHA currently is in a transition period in implementing its new OSHA Information System from its current Integrated Management Information System. This article contains only data from IMIS.