OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2018 — and What Non-Compliance Will Cost You | Nilfisk Official Website
November 08, 2018

OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2018 — and What Non-Compliance Will Cost You


Categories: Health and Safety
OSHA recently announced the Top 10 most frequently cited violations for fiscal year 2018. The list included the usual suspects (the Top 5 has been the same for the past few years), as well as a newcomer.

Top 10 OSHA Violations for 2018

RankTitleStandard# of ViolationsMore Info*
1Fall protection - General requirements1926.5017,270Citations include roofing contractors failing to provide PPE
2Hazard communication1910.12004,552Citations include failure to train, failure to maintain data sheets
3Scaffolding1926.4513,336Citations include lack of proper decking
4Respiratory protection1910.1343,118Citations include lack of fit testing, lack of medical evaluations, lack of respiratory programs
5Lockout/Tagout1910.1472,944Citations include lack of implementation of energy control programs, lack of training
6Ladders1926.10532,812Citations include broken steps, use of top steps, ladders not being used as intended
7Powered industrial trucks1910.1782,294Citations included non-certified forklift drivers, failing to recertify drivers every 3 years
8Fall protection - Training requirements1926.5031,982Citations include employers lacking competent persons to provide training, no written certifications verifying training
9Machine guarding1910.2121,972Citations include point of operation, guards not attached to machines
10Eye and face protection1926.1021,536Construction standard — first time on the list
*Specific citation info from EHS Today

Industry-specific citations

In addition to the Top 10, the agency released citation and penalty information for specific industries. Here are the results from some of the industries we serve.

Construction

  • Total citations: 25,294 (based on 10,291 inspections)
  • Total penalties: $73,660,506 (average penalty: $2,912)
  • Top 5 most frequently cited standards
    • 1926.501: Duty to have fall protection
    • 1926.451: General requirements
    • 1926.1053: Ladders
    • 1926.503: Training requirements
    • 1926.102: Eye and face protection

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

  • Total citations: 3,436 (based on 938 inspections)
  • Total penalties: $8,730,209 (average penalty: $2,541)
  • Top 5 most frequently cited standards
    • 1910.147: The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
    • 1910.212: General requirements for all machines
    • 1910.1200: Hazard communication
    • 1910.134: Respiratory protection
    • 1910.178: Powered industrial trucks

Food manufacturing

  • Total citations: 1,487 (based on 515 inspections)
  • Total penalties: $6,776,699 (average penalty: $4,557)
  • Top 5 most frequently cited standards
    • 1910.147: The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
    • 1910.212: General requirements for all machines
    • 1910.119: Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
    • 1910.1200: Hazard communication
    • 1910.219: Mechanical power-transmission apparatus

Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing

  • Total citations: 80 (based on 18 inspections)
  • Total penalties: $324,362 (average penalty: $4,055)
  • Top 5 most frequently cited standards
    • 1910.134: Respiratory protection
    • 1910.147: The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
    • 1910.1200: Hazard communication
    • 1910.119: Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
    • 1910.132: General requirements

The cost of non-compliance

Many employers put the brakes on their compliance duties because they believed that OSHA’s activities would be curtailed under the Trump Administration. This has not come to pass. In fact, in 2017, OSHA inspections increased for the first time in a long time. Not only that, but the penalties are growing. In 2016, OSHA penalties increased by 78% to make up for 26 years of not adjusting for inflation. Since then, the penalties have increased every year. Here is the current schedule as of January 2, 2018:
  • For Serious, Other-Than-Serious, and Posting Requirements violations, the maximum penalty is $12,934 per violation.
  • For Failure to Abate violations, the maximum penalty is $12,934 per day beyond the abatement date.
  • For Willful or Repeated violations, the maximum penalty is $129,336 per violation.
In addition, the number of penalties in excess of $100,000 has increased. And more are likely coming — a court ruled earlier this year that OSHA could look back more than five years to establish repeat violations, for which the penalty is 10x higher. That gives employers even greater incentive to address safety issues now. Nilfisk is dedicated to helping you and your employees stay safe. For more information about OSHA standards, worker safety, and how the right equipment can help you become compliant, check out our health and safety article archive.
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