OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Hazards
Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases a list of safety standards violations that are often cited. This annual list aims to inform safety professionals and employers about workplace hazards and help mitigate or prevent them. An experienced Texas personal injury attorney can enlighten you about some of the most frequently cited safety standards by OSHA.
At The Law Office of Steve Brannan, we're committed to offering experienced legal guidance and skilled representation to employees in their workplace personal injury claims. As your legal counsel, we can review every aspect of your case, explore your available options to recover damages, and help you pursue the rightful financial compensation for your workplace injuries. Our firm proudly serves clients across Odessa, Big Spring, Midland, Andrews, and Pecos, Texas.
What is OSHA?
OHSA is a federal agency established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to ensure healthful and reliable working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing required workplace safety standards.
OSHA General Duty Clause
According to the OSHA General Duty Clause, an employer must provide their employee with an employment and workplace environment free from recognized hazards that may cause physical harm, injury, or death to the employee.
Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Workplace Safety Standards from OSHA for FY 2022
Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,260 violations
For the past twelve years, OSHA's Fall Protection Standard has been at the top of the annual list. The Fall Protection Standard describes where and when fall protection is needed, as well as the types of hazard controls and safety systems that must be provided to prevent falls.
Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,424 violations
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires companies to provide detailed information about how workplace chemicals are classified and labeled. This standard also outlines the requirements for using safety data sheets (SDSs), training workers, and keeping a hazard communication plan at the workplace.
Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,185 violations
According to OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, employers must keep a respiratory protection program when employees need to protect themselves by wearing respirators. The standard also specifies certain rules for training employees about selecting, cleaning, fitting, using, maintaining, and repairing respirators.
Ladders (1926.1053): 2,143 violations
OSHA's Stairways and Ladders Standard outline the requirements which must be followed to safely use ladders, step ladders, job-made wooden ladders, and extension ladders.
Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,058 violations
OSHA's Scaffolding Standard establishes the safety requirements for workplace scaffolds, including suspended scaffolds, airlifts, and supported scaffolds.
Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 1,977 violations
Additionally, OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Standard outlines the safety requirements for protecting employees from amputations, loss of body parts, and other severe injuries that may be sustained from starting and cycling a machine suddenly or releasing energy from a machine while performing routine maintenance and service.
Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,749 violations
OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks Standard sets forth the construction standards and design information for powered industrial trucks, including lift trucks and forklifts, which are used for lowering, raising, or removing heavy objects. Under the standard, employers must make sure their workers receive adequate training about operating these powered industrial trucks and other safety standards.
Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,556 violations
OSHA's Fall Protection Training Requirements Standard outlines specific requirements regarding the necessary training that employees must have to prevent falls.
Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,401 violations
OSHA's Eye and Face Protection Standard requires employers to make eye and face protection equipment available to workers when needed and to protect themselves against radiological, mechanical, environmental, or chemical irritants.
Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,370 violations
Lastly, OSHA's Machine Guarding Standard outlines the necessary requirements to protect workers from sparks, flying chips, rotating parts, and other dangers caused by machinery.
Filing a Workplace Personal Injury Claim
In Texas, an employee who suffers a workplace accident, injury, or illness may be able to pursue compensation through a workers' compensation claim or third-party lawsuit.
Workers' Compensation Claim
An injured employee can file a workers' compensation claim to seek financial recovery for the cost of medical treatments for their workplace injuries or occupational diseases. In Texas, workers' compensation benefits include:
Medical benefits
Income benefits – such as temporary income benefits (TIBs), supplemental income benefits (SIBs), impairment income benefits (IIBs), and lifetime income benefits.
Medical travel expenses
Vocational rehabilitation
Burial and funeral expenses
Death benefits
Third-Party Claim or Lawsuit
Depending on the events leading to the workplace incident and other surrounding circumstances, the affected employee may file a third-party claim or lawsuit against any of these parties or entities:
The employer for violating the required safety standards.
A coworker who causes your injury through their negligent actions.
A product manufacturer, designer, or seller
Driver
Engineers and Architects
Contractor or subcontractor
General contractor
Property owner or construction site owner.
A seasoned Texas work injury attorney can evaluate and investigate all of the surrounding facts of your unique situation and determine the best way to proceed with your claims.
Get Experienced Guidance and Representation
A workplace accident, injury, or illness can be devastating to both the employee and their loved ones. In addition, the employer or company may lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in workers' compensation, lost productivity, and OSHA citations. Therefore, having an effective workplace safety and health program is imperative to protect employees and save money.
At The Law Office of Steve Brannan, our attorney has the knowledge and experience to educate employees and employers about workplace safety hazards and how to prevent them. We can help review your workplace safety plan and outline an optimal safety program for your company. And, if you're an injured employee seeking workers' compensation, we can help file your claims and pursue the maximum financial compensation and benefits you deserve.
Contact The Law Office of Steve Brannan today to schedule a simple consultation with our dedicated personal injury attorney. We're proud to serve clients throughout Odessa, Big Spring, Midland, Andrews, Pecos, and the surrounding communities across West Texas.