OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Hazards
In any workplace, there are certain risks and hazards that employees must be protected from. And, though measures will be in place, a workplace accident can still happen. If you have questions about your workplace or a recent injury you’ve sustained while on the job, call us at The Torres Law Firm to speak with a personal injury attorney. Our team has the compassion, knowledge, and resources to direct you toward the correct path. If you’re in Corpus Christi, Dallas, or Fort Worth, Texas, we can help with any incident involving workplace accidents in Texas.
What Is OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that’s been in place since 1970. Its mission is to keep workplaces across the country safe and healthful for workers. OSHA does this by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, oversight, and assistance. The OSHA General Duty Clause states that all workplaces are mandated to provide a safe working environment that keeps employees free of accidents that can cause injury or death. Also, all employees must follow the safety measures in place. To help keep employers aware of the major dangers they’re facing, each year they publish OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Hazards.
Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Workplace Safety Standards from OSHA for FY 2021
Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): Falls remain the single biggest cause of workplace accidents, making this the #1 standard that employers must guard against.
Respiratory Protection (1910.134): The most important safety measure to combat respiratory injuries is wearing a well-fitting respirator to remove contaminants from the air or to supply clean air from another source.
Ladders (1926.1053): All employees should be trained on how to safely use extension ladders, wooden ladders, and stepladders. Proper ladder use can drastically reduce workplace falls.
Hazard Communication (1910.1200): If you use chemicals as part of your job, you must be aware of how they’re classified and what potential hazards they can cause. This is done through the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) that regulated labeling, safety data sheets, hazard classification, and training.
Scaffolding (1926.451): Construction workers regularly work on high scaffolding, and OSHA sets standards for what kind of scaffolding can be used in different environments (ex: maritime vs. general construction) and gives employers tools for creating a safer work environment.
Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): This standard relates to the overall risk of falling but addresses how employers can better train their workers to reduce incidents. This includes lessons on a ladder, scaffold, and roofing safety and how falls can be prevented in each scenario.
Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): This standard applies to employees who work with different energy sources such as electrical, mechanical, or thermal. Workplace injuries like this often occur when an employee is servicing or maintaining a machine. To prevent these, OSHA provides training resources that go over proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices to turn machines on and off quickly and control any hazardous energy.
Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): Unfortunately, many workers sustain injuries to their eyes and faces, so OSHA sets standards about where and when eye and face protection must be worn in different industries.
Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): OSHA sets standards about how forklifts must be operated, and what training and licensing employees must have.
Machine Guarding (1910.212): OSHA educates employers and employees on the hazards of moving parts in a machine and puts standards in place to reduce or eliminate injuries.
Filing a Workplace Personal Injury Claim
If you’ve been injured on the job, you’re likely eligible to file a claim through workers’ comp. This compensation will pay you a portion of your average wages for as long as you remain unable to work and pay for any medical treatment. If this is not enough to cover all your expenses, you also have the option to file a third-party lawsuit against your employer, but this should only be done with the help of a qualified attorney.
Skilled Legal Counsel: The Torres Attorneys
If you’re concerned about safety hazards in Texas, especially in the workplace, reach out to an attorney immediately. At The Torres Law Firm in Corpus Christi, Texas, we can help you understand your rights as a worker and help ensure you stay safe. Contact us today to arrange a consultation. Don't face these challenges alone.