Common OSHA violations small business owners should know about

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by developing and enforcing standards and providing training and assistance to business owners.

Each industry must follow certain standards based on the type of work performed and the work environment that it’s performed in. Business owners and managers should familiarize themselves with the specific standards that affect their industry to avoid receiving violations, which can come with hefty fines.

Small business owners should become more familiar with the violations cited most often in their industries in order to avoid violating OSHA standards.

Here are the most five common infractions in five of the most popular small business industries.

Restaurant industry

The top five most common infractions in the restaurant industry are related to:

• Hazard communication (standard 191.1200)

• Recording and reporting occupational injuries and illness (standard 1904.39)

• General electrical requirements (Standard 1910.303)

• Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use (Standard 1910.305)

• Medical services and first aid (Standard 1910.151)

Construction industry

The top 5 most common infractions in the construction industry are related to:

• Duty to have fall protection (Standard 1926.501)

• General scaffolding requirements (Standard 1926.451)

• Ladders (Standard 1926.1053)

• Fall protection training requirements (Standard 1926.503)

• Eye and face protection (Standard 1926.102)

Manufacturing industry

The top 5 most common infractions in the manufacturing industry are related to:

• The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) (Standard 1910.147)

• Respiratory protection (Standard 1910.134)

• General requirements for all machines (Standard 1910.212)

• Hazard communication (Standard 1910.1200)

• Powered industrial trucks (Standard 1910.178)

Retail industry

The top 5 most common infractions in the retail industry are related to:

• Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes (Standard 1910.37)

• Powered industrial trucks (Standard 1910.178)

• General electrical requirements (Standard 1910.303)

• Hazard Communication (Standard 1910.1200)

• Handling materials – general (Standard 1910.176)

Healthcare industry

The top 5 most common infractions in the healthcare industry are related to:

• Bloodborne pathogens (Standard 1910.1030)

• Hazard Communication (Standard 1910.1200)

• General electrical requirements (Standard 1910.303)

• Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illness (Standard 1904.39)

• Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use (Standard 1910.305)

By developing a safety plan and providing appropriate safety training, small business owners can help prevent accidents and avoid costly OSHA citations.

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