The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released the list of the top ten most frequently cited regulations for workplace safety violations found during OSHA inspections in 2014. From this list, the most cited regulations that apply to general industry are as follows:
- Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134)
- Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)
- Lockout/Tagout (29 CFR 1910.147)
- Electrical, Wiring Methods (29 CFR 1910.305)
- Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212)
- Electrical, General Requirements (29 CFR 1910.303)
As an employer, it is important to know which OSHA regulations apply to your workplace, and what the requirements of those regulations are. Many OSHA regulations require written safety programs, employee training, monitoring, medical evaluation, etc. If you’re not sure which OSHA requirements apply to your facility, or if your facility is meeting the applicable requirements, a health and safety audit can help to identify areas in which further work is needed to achieve compliance.
One area that many employers will need to focus on in 2015 is Hazard Communication. As you may know, in 2012, OSHA revised the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) to bring the U.S. into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) that is already being used in many countries throughout the world. By June 1, 2015, employers will be required to comply with nearly all of the provisions of the new Hazard Communication Standard, including new classification of chemical hazards, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements, and employee training on the new requirements.
LAN is well versed in OSHA regulations, and has decades of experience in providing outsourced environmental, health, and safety compliance services, including providing training, preparing written OSHA-required programs, and conducting health and safety compliance audits. For more information, or if you need assistance with achieving OSHA compliance, please contact Elizabeth Bouvier, LAN Associates, PE, CIH.
