Top most cited Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is authorized to inspect and investigate workplaces to determine whether organizations are complying with the standards issued by them. According to the investigations, some of the top most cited violations in 2009 are listed below.

• Scaffolding - 7,027 violations

• Hazard Communication - 4,973 violations

• Fall Protection - 4,797 violations

• Respiratory Protection - 3,062 violations

• Lockout/Tagout - 2,937 violations

• Electrical-Wiring - 2,524 violations

• Powered Industrial Trucks - 2,437 violations

• Machine Guarding - 2,138 violations

• Ladders - 2,135 violations

OSHA has geared up the heat on enforcement under the Obama Administration. There were four cases in the last fiscal year.

Again the highest fine in the history of America was awarded to BP with over $87.4 million when the company failed to correct the hazards which were continuing to threaten the health and safety of the workers. This message has been sent loud and clear to all companies that the agency will not tolerate any neglect of worker safety and health.

If any organization is found to violate their standards, OSHA will react swiftly and strongly. OSHA has also decided to increase the penalties to warn employers about neglecting their standards.

Training your employees with OSHA safety courses is the best way to avoid huge citations and penalties. When you and your employees are educated and well trained, hazards, accidents, injuries and deaths will be reduced and even eliminated. Join an OSHA training course and improve your work environment.