OSHA Reveals Top Safety Violations

October 31, 2023

Falls are most common OSHA violation

  • OSHA announced its most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2023.
  • Eric Harbin, OSHA Region 6 administrator, presented the preliminary data for “OSHA’s Top 10” during the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, the world’s largest annual gathering of safety professionals.
  • Fall Protection – General Requirements remains at the top of the list for the 13th year in a row, followed by Hazard Communication and Ladders.
  • Rounding out the top 10 are: Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,859; Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,561; Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,554; Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,481; Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 2,112; Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 2,074; and, Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,644.
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New OSHA requirements

  • OSHA finalized its “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses” rule, which requires establishments with 100 or more employees in certain designated high-hazard industries.
  • Firms will have to electronically submit information from their OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) once a year.
  • Employers must submit detailed information about each recordable injury and illness, including the date, physical location, and severity of the injury or illness; details about the worker who was injured; and details about how the injury or illness occurred.
  • The rule is effective on January 1, 2024, and annual reporting is due March 2, 2024, through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application.
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Speed, surveillance drives Amazon injuries

  • Amazon warehouse workers have physical injuries and mental stress on the job as a result of the company’s extreme focus on speed and pervasive surveillance, according to a new study by the University of Illinois Chicago’s Center for Urban Economic Development.
  • Nearly 70% of Amazon employees had to take unpaid time off due to pain or exhaustion suffered on the job in the past month, while 34% have had to do so three or more times.
  • The data adds to the scrutiny around Amazon’s workplace safety and treatment of warehouse employees.
  • OSHA is investigating conditions at several warehouses.
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Green Cross for Safety Award winners announced

  • The National Safety Council recently honored three organizations working toward and succeeding in preventing injuries and saving lives with its renowned Green Cross for Safety awards.
  • Given during the 24th annual Green Cross Celebration, presented by U. S. Steel, these accolades recognize the best and brightest in three categories: safety advocacy, safety excellence, and safety innovation.
  • Nine finalists for the three award categories were selected, reviewed, and evaluated.
  • The 2023 Winners are Schneider (Safety Advocate Award, sponsored by First Student); Walgreens (Safety Excellence Award, sponsored by UPS); and APTIM (Safety Innovation Award, sponsored by Amazon).
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