Protect Your Workforce: Essential Tips to Prevent Violation and Injury

OSHA Safe and Sound Week – August 12-18

This upcoming OSHA Safe and Sound Week, taking place from August 12-18, serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive safety and health programs for businesses nationwide. The need for effective safety programs is evident, with over 5,000 workplace fatalities and 3.6 million serious injuries annually. This event celebrates successful workplace safety and health programs and offers resources to help employer participants enhance their workplace safety strategies.

Successful safety and health programs raise awareness and proactively identify and address hazards to prevent incidents, protecting your employees and your bottom line. Safe and Sound Week offers guidance on building or strengthening safety and health programs and provides a platform for companies to share their achievements with a national audience.

Organizations of all sizes and industries looking to reinforce their commitments to safety are welcome and encouraged to participate in Safe and Sound Week. Just last year, over 3,900 participants came together to help raise awareness about workplace safety protocols.

Learn more about OSHA’s Safe and Sound Week and how to participate here.

© 2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Safety Violations

To help prepare your organization for OSHA’s Safe and Sound Week, here are the top 10 most cited OSHA safety violations, along with tips on how to prevent them:

1. Fall Protection
   • Equip workers with a properly fitted harness and any other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
   • Inspect fall protection equipment, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) before use.
   • Ensure handrails and guardrails are in place and the right equipment is selected for the job.  
2. Hazard Communications
   • Ensure accurate labelling of all hazardous chemicals and keep a safety data sheet nearby.
   • Establish a comprehensive training program to keep employees informed about safety protocols.
   • Provide employees with proper safety equipment, including eye protection and gloves.
3. Ladders
   • Inspect the ladder and surrounding area for potential hazards before use.
   • Maintain three points of contact (two hands, one foot or two feet, one hand) with the ladder when climbing or descending.
   • Select the appropriate ladder for a job and do not exceed the load capacity.
   • Keep your hands free while climbing and descending from the ladder.
4. Scaffolding
   • Ensure all scaffold users, erectors and dismantlers are trained by an OSHA-certified trainer.
   • Provide all users with personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) and proper safety equipment.
   • Set up scaffolds on stable, level ground and adhere to weighted capacity limits.
   • Keep an eye out for overhead powerlines or other electrical hazards when erecting or dismantling.
5. Forklift Certification
   • Only operate a forklift with proper training and a valid licensed, and ensure forklifts are maintained according to OSHA safety standards.
   • Always wear a seatbelt and do not allow other passengers to ride unless a designated seat is provided.
   • Maintain a safe operating speed and use extreme caution on grades and ramps.
   • Keep a clear view of your path and reduce speed in obstructed areas.
6. Lockout/Tagout
   • Provide proper lockout/tagout training for all necessary employees.
   • Ensure that each lockout/tagout identifies the individual user.
   • Verify lockout capability of new or recently repaired equipment before use.
   • Enforce an effective tagout program for machines that cannot be locked out.
7. Respiratory Protection
   • Identify work activities requiring a respirator and select the specific type of respirator needed for each job.
   • Replace filters, cartridges and the respirator itself as required by OSHA Respiratory Standards.
   • Ensure employees are trained on respirator use, limitations, and proper maintenance.
8. Fall Protection – Training
   • Provide proper fall protection training in employees’ native language, including specifics on any relevant topics or equipment they will be using (e.g. scaffolding, stepladders, roofing).
   • Implement safety monitor systems, warning line systems or controlled access zones in compliance with the OSHA Fall Protection standards.
   • Conduct refresher training on all protocols if workplace, fall protection systems or equipment updates override previous training concepts.
9. Eye and Face Protection
   • Understand the different types of personal protection equipment (PPE) and routinely assess conditions, equipment and operating procedures for potential hazards.
   • Ensure employees are trained in eye and face protection, including proper care and maintenance.
   • Offer compatible PPE options for employees with prescription glasses.
10. Machine Guarding
    • Understand and implement the general requirements for machine guarding effectively.
    • Regularly inspect machines to ensure proper guarding and lockout/tagout procedures.
    • When replacing a machine guard, make sure the machine is fully powered off, including lockout/tagout if applicable.
    • Ensure employees are wearing proper safety equipment in case of guard failure.
    • Verify that user-built guards meet machine specifications and are built properly to maintain effectiveness over time.