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).
*The data presented does not reflect all violations cited by OSHA during fiscal year 2011. OSHA is in a transition period for implementing its new OSHA Information System from its current Integrated Management Information System. This article contains only data from IMIS.
| #15 |
Guarding floor and wall openings and holes
Standard: 1910.23
This standard covers guarding protection for openings, and goes over the specific requirements for protections such as rails, fences and other acceptable barriers.
| Serious violations |
1,371 |
| Willful violations |
11 |
| Repeat violations |
47 |
| Total initial penalties proposed |
$5.16 million | |
| #16 |
General Duty Clause
Occupational Safety and Health Act Section: 5(a)(1)
This is the general requirement for employers to provide employees with a place of employment free of recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious harm.
| Serious violations |
1,428 |
| Willful violations |
20 |
| Repeat violations |
18 |
| Total initial penalties proposed |
$7.19 million | |
Read coverage of OSHA’s Top 10 from the December 2011 issue – including an exclusive Q&A with the deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, as well as the annual Penalty Box.