Every year, EC&M publishes OSHA’s most commonly cited violations in a top 10 photo gallery online, and every year reader interest in that list rises. What I find somewhat puzzling about this fact is that — for at least the last six years — the categories featured on this list remain virtually unchanged, although individual rankings do shift a bit. Why does this information continue to be so popular with our readers when I’m betting most of them could recite most, if not all, of the most frequently cited OSHA violations by heart? I guess sometimes it’s good to be reminded of what’s right in front of us so as not to become complacent.
Unveiled at the 2018 National Safety Council Congress and Expo in Houston, the top 10 most frequently cited standards by OSHA for fiscal year 2018 (Oct. 1, 2017, through Sept. 30, 2018) were: 1) falls; 2) hazard communications; 3) scaffolding; 4) respiratory protection; 5) lockout/tagout; 6) ladders ; 7) powered industrial trucks; 8) fall protection/training requirements; 9) machine guarding; and 10) eye and face protection. While the first seven categories remained identical to last year, the next two switched spots, leaving “Eye and Face Protection” as the only newcomer, which took over the No. 10 spot from “Electrical Wiring Methods.” The fact that neither violations relating to the proper installation and use of electrical conductors and equipment nor those relating to electrical wiring methods and components made the list this year is definitely good news. In reviewing the data, however, it’s concerning to note that the total number of violations went up in every single one of the first nine categories this year.
Why do these top 10 violations continue to stay so consistent from year to year? The truth is the answer to this seemingly easy question is anything but simple. Freelance Writer Tom Zind dives into this quandary in our cover story this month, “Repeat Offenders.” In this special report, Zind digs into the reasons behind the recurring violations and examines why the top 10 list stays so static. One source attributes unfavorable outcomes to potential misconceptions. “They’re occurring because too many employers misinterpret data showing workplace injuries are declining, and think safety is improving the longer they go without serious injuries,” Zind writes. “But over time, vigilance in protecting workers can wane, and conditions can grow more dangerous.” Another source theorizes the problem lies in a reactive mentality versus a proactive approach. “Too often we’re focused on what a worker who falls and dies did or didn’t do, when we should be looking at what supervisors, managers, facility owners, or engineers did to anticipate the risk and prevent that outcome,” he says.
Regardless of the reasons why serious safety lapses continue to show up in the workplace, the fact is progress is being made. In the last several decades, OSHA (along with efforts from employers, employees, unions, and other advocates) has had a drastic effect on workplace safety. According to the OSHA website, worker deaths in America are down from about 38 per day in 1970 to 14 a day in 2017, and worker injuries/illnesses are down from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to 2.8 in 2017. Nevertheless, 5,147 workers still lost their lives on the job in 2017, which is more than 14 deaths every day. Out of the 4,674 worker fatalities that occurred in private industry, 20.7% were in construction. The leading causes of these deaths (excluding highway collisions) were attributed to the “fatal four,” which include falls, struck by objects, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents. As you read through this month’s cover story as well as any other safety coverage for that matter, remember to keep some lessons that appear seemingly unlearned top of mind.
