The 10 Best Ways to Avoid an OSHA Citation
For any Chicagoland business in construction, warehousing or manufacturing, a citation from OSHA could bring serious financial consequences. The fine for a single violation can be as high as $13,494, and for a willful or repeated violation, the maximum fine for 2020 is $134,937.
To minimize this risk among their clients, the consultants at Coveted Financial Services recommend a regular review of compliance with health and safety regulations. Based on the ten OSHA standards most frequently cited in violations, here are the ten best ways to avoid a citation:
1. Prevent Falls – Of the more than 100 Americans killed on the job each week, the majority fall from a roof or fall onto a dangerous surface or machine. The single most important precaution you can take is to set up your workplace to prevent falls.
2. Communicate Hazards – If you use hazardous chemicals in your workplace, train all employees in safe handling and make sure that hazard information is displayed where chemicals are used and is understood by all workers.
3. Keep Scaffolding Compliant – There is one fatal accident each week from the structural failure of scaffolding, or when a worker is struck by a falling object. Close adherence to OSHA guidelines can prevent these occurrences.
4. Enforce Respiratory Protection – Thousands of workers each year develop illnesses or injuries caused by smoke, mist or dust. Train to the OSHA standard and make sure that your employees are using the breathing protection you provide.
5. Guard Hazardous Machine Energy – Even at rest, heavy machines can release pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal or electrical energy which can crush, burn or electrocute. Review your compliance with OSHA Lockout/Tagout procedures.
6. Teach Workers to Use Ladders Safely – Ladders are so common on construction sites, they warrant special attention. See OSHA standard 1926.1053, Ladders, as well as OSHA Publication 3625, Falling Off Ladders Can Kill: Use them Safely.
7. Certify Forklift Operators – Common warehouse hazards include falling loads, driving off an elevated surface or striking another worker. Make sure your operators have received professional training and know OSHA standards.
8. Train to Prevent Falls – Set up your workplace to prevent falls – and train for prevention. Review OSHA Standards and training requirements in Standard 1926 for fall protection and work safety when using scaffolding, stairways and ladders.
9. Guard Machines in Operation – OSHA requires that any machine function that could cause injury must be safeguarded. Never disable a third-party manufacturer’s guards, and make sure all custom processes include guards.
10. Enforce Eye Protection – Each day, over 100 workers receive an eye injury serious enough to miss work, and 60% of the time -- they were not wearing eye protection. Review the OSHA Eye and Face Protection eTool online and train accordingly.
Bottom line: To avoid an OSHA citation in your warehouse, at your construction site or on your factory floor, use the most frequent sources of OSHA violations as your guide to best practices for compliance.