OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards
Every year, OSHA publishes a list of its most frequently cited standards. Click on the link to see the most current list of OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. You can download each of the standards and related additional resources.
It's a good idea to make sure your safety management system (SMS) includes programs to ensure compliance with these standards.
OSHA publishes the list to alert employers about the most commonly cited standards so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards before OSHA shows up for an inspection. Far too many preventable injuries, illnesses, and deaths occur in the workplace that are related to these top 10 cited standards.
Note that the fall protection in construction and hazard communication standards are usually at or near the top of the list each year, so it makes sense to give these two programs top priority. Another interesting fact is that, although ergonomic injuries (strains, sprains, musculoskeletal disorders) are most frequent in the workplace, no standard covering ergonomics is listed among OSHA's Top 10. OSHA will generally use it's General Duty Clause to cite ergonomics violations.
Because OSHA sees and cites the "Top-10" violations frequently, it's smart safety management to make sure all of the "Top-10" programs are effective. After all, the following statement is true:
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-7. Which of the following standards is at or near the top of OSHA's most frequently cited violations list each year?
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