By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA just updated its annual list of the top ten cited standards. The list provides a starting point for employers reviewing their own safety programs.

OSHA just announced the Agency’s annual listing of the “Top Ten Most Frequently Cited Standards.” OSHA’s release noted that, “one remarkable thing about the list is that it rarely changes. Year after year, our inspectors see thousands of the same on-the-job hazards, any one of which could result in a fatality or severe injury.” Statistically, he noted that more than “4,500 workers are killed on the job every year, and approximately 3 million are injured.”

The ten most frequently cited standards are as follows:

OSHA’s 2015 Top Ten image from OSHA.gov.

As in years past, the Top Ten listing identifies fall protection, hazard communication, scaffolding, respiratory protection and lockout/tagout (LOTO) as major sources of citations. This annual listing is a testimony to both the difficulty of consistent compliance with these standards, and OSHA’s ongoing emphasis on these hazards.

Employers should use this listing as a reminder to emphasize these areas during new employee orientation and existing employee refresher training. Employers should also realize that OSHA will absolutely be looking for violations in these areas when they visit your worksite.

Employers with questions or concerns about any of these issues or topics are encouraged to reach out to the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the OSHA Compliance, Enforcement & Litigation Team.