Recognized Versus Unrecognized Hazards Stats and Facts

FACTS

1. After road traffic injuries, falls represent the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths.
2. Breathing of contaminated air is the most common way that workplace chemicals enter the body.
3. A structure fire is reported approximately every minute of every day and results in approximately $12 billion in property loss every year.
4. Engineers, electricians, and overhead line workers are at the top of the list of professionals who are most exposed to electrical hazards.
5. Electrocution incidents come from failure to recognize and come into contact with energized sources (energized conductors and circuit parts, damaged or bare wires, defective electrical equipment or power tools)

STATS

The 2017 OSHA Top 10 Citations hi – lites the causes of worker injuries and fatalities.

• Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 6,072 violations
• Hazard Communication: 4,176 violations
• Scaffolding: 3,288 violations
• Respiratory Protection: 3,097 violations
• Lockout/Tagout: 2,877 violations – frequent violations were inadequate worker training and inspections not completed. Lockout/tagout procedures are meant to safeguard employees when machinery starts up unexpectedly or when hazardous energy is released during maintenance activities. Failing to train workers or conduct periodic inspections account for many of the violations.
• Ladders: 2,241 violations
• Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,162 violations
• Machine Guarding: 1,933 violations
• Fall Protection – Training Requirements: 1,523 violations
• Electrical – Wiring Methods: 1,405 violations – Violations of this standard were found in most general industry sectors, including food and beverage, retail, and manufacturing. Faulty electrical wiring methods accounted for 1,405 violations—down from 1,937 in 2016. Frequent violations include improper use of extension cords.