By Robert G. Chadwick, Jr.,  Partner, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP.

On September 10, 2019, at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress and Expo, Patrick Kapust, Deputy Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, provided a preliminary list of OSHA’s top ten most frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2019 (Oct. 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019). Final data will be published on the OSHA website later this year.

The preliminary list:

1.  Fall protection, construction (29 C.F.R. § 1926.501): 6,010 violations
2.  Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 C.F.R. § 1910.1200): 3,671 violations
3.  Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 C.F.R. § 1926.451): 2,813 violations
4.  Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 C.F.R. § 1910.147): 2,606 violations
5.  Respiratory protection, general industry (29 C.F.R. § 1910.134): 2,450 violations
6.  Ladders, construction (29 C.F.R. § 1926.1053): 2,345 violations
7.  Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 C.F.R. § 1910.178): 2,093 violations
8.  Fall protection – training requirements (29 C.F.R. § 1926.503): 1,773 violations
9.  Machinery and machine guarding, general requirements (29 C.F.R. § 1910.212): 1,743 violations
10.  Eye and face protection (29 C.F.R. § 1910.102): 1,411 violations

Of course, OSHA citations do not always become a final order if challenged in settlement discussions or a notice of contest. Still, the preliminary list is instructive as to the focus of the agency in scheduling and conducting inspections.

Robert G. Chadwick, Jr. frequently speaks to non-profit organizations regarding occupational safety and health issues. To contact him for a speaking engagement, please e-mail him at rchadwick@realclearcounsel.com.