Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2022

Oct. 31, 2022
There isn't much of a surprise here—unless you consider that most of the violations are repeat offenders.

Falling down on the job seems to be a perennial workplace issue, as does failing to provide adequate fall protection, because for the 12th year in a row "fall protection - general requirement" is the most cited standard violation, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA). Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement (DEP), presented preliminary data at the recent National Safety Council show in San Diego, reflecting violations occurring from October 1, 2021, to September 6, 2022. (The tally includes only federal OSHA data; data collected from state OSHA agencies is not included.)

All of the violations on this year's list also appeared on the previous year's list, although there was a good deal of shifting up or down the rankings. While fall protection kept its grip on the top spot, last year's # 2 violation (respiratory protection) dropped to # 3, while last year's # 5 violation (hazard communication) jumped to the # 2 spot. The slide show that follows indicates both this year's ranking as well as noting last year's.

One of the reasons respiratory protection violations declined in the past year, according to Kapust, was the gradual move beyond COVID-19 throughout workplaces. Companies have gotten better at recognizing the need to provide adequate respiratory PPE to employees, although Kapust noted that fit testing is still not being conducted as needed.

OSHA makes this list available every year, Kapust pointed out, to help employers determine what areas in their workplaces they should focus on to improve safety.

About the Author

Dave Blanchard | Editor-in-Chief / Senior Director of Content

During his career Dave Blanchard has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. Prior to joining Endeavor/Informa/Penton, he spent a decade covering the artificial intelligence industry. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University. 

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