Most Frequently Cited OSHA Regulations

Most Frequently Cited OSHA Regulations

Once again, according to www.osha.gov, the Hazard Communication Standard has made a recurring appearance on the most frequently cited standards list for many industries.  For the year October 201 0 to September 2011, the Hazard Communication Standard has been cited almost 1,000 times in employment places!  Whether private industry or municipalities, the Hazard Communication Standard is consistently top ranked for citations.  For example, education services (including primary and secondary schools) are note exempt from safety regulations; the Hazard Communication Standard was the most frequently cited regulation for them during the latest quoted time period- with almost double the citations for the Hazard Communication Standard than for the next frequently cited regulation for the schools, Forms (recordkeeping).

The Hazard Communication, one of OSHA’s regulations, requires employees to maintain an MSDS for all the hazardous products that employees work with, label all containers, train employees on the MSDS and the hazards associated with the products, and maintain a written hazard communication program.  However, what may trip many employers up is what is actually involved with complying with these regulations.  From maintaining the MSDS book in an orderly, indexed fashion to labeling transfer containers, the Hazard Communication Standard can be quite involved. 

Although not necessarily overly complex, the time-consuming effort that is put in to maintaining compliance is the part that causes many employers to fall behind.  Perhaps that is why it is the MOST Cited during that time period for the standard industry code 75- Automotive Repair, Services and Parking, with over $150,000 in penalties just for this standard!  And topping the list again for miscellaneous manufacturing industries (SIC 39)- the Hazard Communication Standard even beats out “general requirements for all machines”.  Ranking 3^rd in citations in the standard industry code for Fabricated Metal Products, the Hazard Communication Standard generated over $290,000 in fines for that industry!

For more information on maintaining compliance with Hazard Communication Standard, visit www.hazcommpliance.com.