OSHA reveals top violations for FY2022   

It’s no surprise that fall protection is still in the No. 1 spot

Why is fall protection No. 1 again? 
   Fall Protection – General Requirements remains at the top of the list for the 12th year in a row, followed by Hazard Communication and Respiratory Protection. OSHA’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
   “OSHA’s annual Top 10 list helps define trends so safety professionals can find the appropriate solutions,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. “Despite advancements in workplace safety, we continue to see the same types of violations each year. It’s more important than ever employers seek education and resources to keep their workers safe.”
   One of the reasons fall protection continues to be at the top is due to improper training and ill-fitting PPE. It’s important to offer regular fittings to ensure your employees are well-protected. ISHN offers a variety of resources to help, including articles on training requirements, fall protection equipment and how to choose the right harness for the job.  
   A fall protection expert interviewed by ASSP had this to say: “If there are more fatalities in other areas that move fall protection from the top spot, that’s not a good thing. That said, we need to look at nuanced data that show us areas for intervention.
   “One example is simply workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The fit of a harness is really critical. Workers have to be mindful about what they’re using and how they’re using it. I’m convinced that if we can help workers understand how to properly put on a harness, explain why it’s important and what it should look like, they’ll be more mindful about this and other aspects of equipment use.”

The full list 
The Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for FY 2022 are:
   1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,260 violations  
   2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,424  
   3. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,185  
   4. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,143  
   5. Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,058  
   6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 1,977  
   7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,749  
   8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,556  
   9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,401  
   10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,370   

Other OSHA news: Whistleblower protections 
   OSHA is still soliciting public comments and input on updating their whistleblower program. The agency is seeking comments on how they can deliver better whistleblower customer service and the kind of assistance they can provide to help explain the agency’s whistleblower laws to both employees and employers.