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EC&MAlthough this annual list of the most frequently cited violations typically features the same hazard categories, the order in which they appear can change from year to year. The most recent list – issued in the fall of 2013 – features three “electrical” categories. In addition, at least four other top 10 items are closely related to electrical construction and maintenance work activities.
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OSHA’s Top 10 Violations of 2013
EC&M Staff, Electrical Construction and Maintenance
Feb. 19, 2014 http://ecmweb.com/galleries/osha-s-top-10-violations-2013#slide-0-field_images-41741
Although this annual list of the most frequently cited violations typically features the same hazard categories, the order in which they appear can change from year to year. The most recent list – issued in the fall of 2013 – features three “electrical” categories. In addition, at least four other top 10 items are closely related to electrical construction and maintenance work activities.
No. 1 Violation: Fall Protection
Fall Protection tops this most recent list. These violations are associated with the Fall Protection rules of OSHA 1926.501,
which sets forth requirements for employers to provide fall protection systems for its employees.
(photo by Western Area Power Admin. License information available here. No changes made.)
No. 2 Violation: Hazard Communication
Hazard Communication comes in at No. 2 this time around. The purpose of this group of rules is to ensure the hazards of
all chemicals produced or imported are classified — and that information concerning the classified hazards is transmitted to
employers and employees. The requirements of 1910.1200 are consistent with the provisions of the United Nations Globally
Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 3.
No. 3 Violation: Scaffolding
Violations related to Scaffolding hit the chart at No. 3. It’s important to note that the rules of 1926.451 do not apply to aerial
lifts, the criteria for which are set out exclusively in 1926.453
No. 4 Violation: Respiratory Protection
The rules of 1910.134, which focus on Respiratory Protection, applies to General Industry (part 1910), Shipyards (part
1915), Marine Terminals (part 1917), Longshoring (part 1918), and Construction (part 1926). Violations associated with
respiratory protection requirements apply to many different trades in the construction industry as well as plant/facility workers.
No. 5 Violation: Electrical Wiring Methods
The first “electrically focused” category captures the fifth position on this year’s listing. Section 1910.305 focuses on
Electrical Wiring Methods, components, and equipment for general use. It does not, however, apply to conductors that are
an integral part of factory-assembled equipment
No. 6 Violation: Powered Industrial Trucks
Although violations associated with Powered Industrial Trucks don’t often come to mind when thinking about electrical
work, OSHA issues a lot of citations in this area. Section 1910.178 contains safety requirements relating to fire protection,
design, maintenance, and use of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized
industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines
No. 7 Violation: Ladders
Section 1926.1053 applies to all Ladders, including job-made ladders. Once again, these rules come into play in
plants/facilities and on all types of construction job sites
No. 8 Violation: Lockout/Tagout
It’s a well-known fact that violations of Lockout/Tagout rules can be deadly. Standard 1910.147 establishes minimum
performance requirements for the control of such hazardous energy. This standard covers the servicing and maintenance of
machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or startup of the machines or equipment — or release of
stored energy — could harm employees.
No. 9 Violation: General Electrical Requirements
Violations related to General Electrical Requirements come in at the No. 9 spot on this year’s listing. 1910.303 focuses on
the proper installation and use of conductors and equipment.
No. 10 Violation: Machine Guarding
Machine Guarding rounds out the list of Top 10 OSHA violations. As noted in 1910.212, one or more methods of machine
guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those
created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods
include barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, and electronic safety devices.
