Getting hurt on the job is no joke. In an instant, an employee’s life changes forever. In 2023 alone, Texas employers reported over 175,000 non-fatal injuries and almost 600 fatal accidents. These are lives and families permanently impacted. That is why employers have a responsibility to ensure policies are in place to prevent on-the-job injuries.
In this post, our Texas employment law attorneys lay out the most commonly cited OSHA violations and provide OSHA prevention tips for employers so you can safeguard your employees and save your bottom line while doing it.
10 Most Common OSHA Violations
Every year OSHA publishes the top 10 most common OSHA violations, along with guidance on how to prevent the accidents that happen as a result of these breaches. The top 10 most common OSHA violations are:
- Construction fall protection – found in 29 CFR 1926.501, this regulation addresses the need for proper fall protection systems to prevent injuries resulting from falls.
- Hazard communication – found in 29 CFR 1910.1200, this regulation requires employers to inform and train employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
- Construction ladder use – found in 29 CFR 1926.1053, this regulation addresses the safe use of ladders to prevent falls and injuries on ladders in construction sites.
- Construction scaffolding safety – found in 29 CFR 1926.451, this regulation outlines the requirements for the safe use of construction scaffolding to prevent falls and structural failures.
- Powered Industrial trucks – found in 29 CFR 1910.178, this regulation covers the safe operation of forklifts and other industrial trucks to prevent accidents.
- Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy) – found in 29 CFR 1910.147, this regulation requires procedures to prevent accidental startup of machinery during maintenance.
- Respiratory Protection – found in 29 CFR 1910.134, this regulation mandates the use of appropriate respiratory protection to safeguard workers from inhaling harmful substances.
- Construction fall protection training – found in 29 CFR 1926.503, this requires employers to provide training to employees on fall protection systems.
- Construction eye and face protection – found in 29 CFR 1926.102, this regulation requires the use of protective equipment to shield workers from eye and face injuries.
- Machinery and Machine Guarding – found in 29 CFR 1910.212, this regulation requires the guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from hazards.
Violation of any of these standards can result in injury or death. Common injuries for these types of violations include:
- Falls from heights
- Chemical burns and poisoning
- Lacerations and punctures
- Respiratory issues
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Electrocution
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Amputations
- Head injuries
These injuries can have a significant impact on operations, not to mention the impact they have on the victims and their families. Let’s look at ways you can avoid employee injuries in the workplace.
Employer Tips for Avoiding Employee Injuries
The best way to avoid injuries is to fully understand OSHA standards. Both state and federal OSHA standards are available online and often include resources, guidelines, tools, and seminars to help guide you in creating a culture of safety in the workplace. Here are some tips on how to make your workplace safer for everyone:
- Take advantage of OSHA Resources – incentivize management to participate in training.
- Perform regular risk assessments – use OSHA’s self-inspection checklist as a guide to identifying potential hazards.
- Develop a comprehensive safety program – ensure you have a clear set of safety protocols and emergency procedures that your staff is aware of.
- Provide employee training – initial and ongoing training programs are crucial to ensuring a safe work environment.
- Maintain proper documentation – including safety training and certifications, inspections, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), and incident reports.
- Encourage a culture of safety – involve employees in safety planning discussions, encourage reporting of unsafe conditions, and recognize and reward employees for following safe protocols.
- Be proactive in maintenance and inspections – regularly inspect tools, equipment, and safety gear, ensure proper storage and handling of hazardous materials, and promptly address issues identified during inspections.
- Partner with OSHA Consultant Services – small and medium-sized businesses can use OSHA’s free consultation programs to provide recommendations without imposing fines or penalties.
- Use technology to enhance safety – using software to assess risk, and track inspections, training, and compliance can help improve your workplace safety.
- Prepare for OSHA inspections – establish an OSHA inspection protocol and have a designated point of contact, ensure all required postings are visible, and practice mock inspections to assess your preparedness.
Worried About Workplace Safety in Your Business?
For assistance with OSHA compliance, you need an expert on your side. Contact our employer defense attorneys today to learn more.