ANNUAL OSHA TOP 10 MOST FREQUENTLY CITED STANDARDS: 3 TIPS FOR PUTTING A PLAN INTO ACTION

This list is intended to provide companies with insights into the most common OSHA cited violations, in an effort to help them proactively take steps to address any issues prior to an incident occurring. This list varies from year to year and the applicability of each standard will vary by business and industry.

So, what should a company, like yours, do with this list? And how can it help improve worker safety, limit accidents, and save money by reducing risks? Below, we provide guidance on how to create an effective action plan, utilizing OHSA’s top 10 posting as a starting point. Follow these steps as a guide.

1. Review all Documentation

Look at your OSHA 300 logs for work-related injuries and illnesses, all workers’ compensation claims and insurance documentation, all accident investigation documentation, and all near-miss investigations. This will help you determine if any of your OSHA-recordable incidents, accidents, or near-misses were top 10 related.

2. Focus on Problem Areas

Perform an annual inspection using the most current top 10 list as a resource. This will help focus on 10 safety areas that could be a source of accidents, injuries, and OSHA violations, helping narrow down the massive undertaking involved in creating a safer workplace. It’s a great place to start to ensure well-being is placed at top priority.

3. Set Achievable Goals

Take any top 10 violation from step 1 and perform an incident investigation and Job Hazard Analysis to determine the specific risk or hazard. Use these inspection and analysis results to work through achievable solutions. 

There are many ways to leverage OSHA standards and the yearly top 10. Whether you utilize our approach above or create a customized plan of your own, safety should always be a top priority when it comes to scheduling audits and reviews.

Need assistance with planning a safety audit? We can supply that.® Schedule time with our safety matter experts today: https://www.globalindustrial.com/sme