Hazard Communication violations

After almost 10 years of aggressive enforcement, Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA) Hazard Communication rule remains the agency s standard that results in the most numerous fines and penalties. From October 2001 to September 2002, OSHA wrote 2,073 citations for Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) violations that totaled 680,000. The citations occurred because most of the hazard communication programs and their site enforcement were very deficient. In 2010, Hazard Communication violations remained high on the list of the top 10 violated standards and unchanged at number three on the list (Thomas Galassi, 2010, MSDSonline Environmental, Health Safety Blog). 

Farmers, ranchers, and businesses are subject to routine general inspections by OSHA. The first time an inspection shows a business is not complying with the Hazard Communication Standard, OSHA can issue a noncompliance citation and a penalty of up to 1,000. Usually, the business is allowed 15 to 30 days to correct the problem. A business that does not correct the noncompliance(s) may be subject to additional penalties of up to 10,000 per violation. 

The subcontractor was cited with three serious violations and 2,000 in fines for failure to provide a written hazard communication program, a safety and health program, and fall protection training. 

The irony is that the area that OSHA checks first is the one that the employer most frequently leaves for last. A large percentage of the OSHA citations have been issued due to the lack of, or an inadequate, written program. In fact, deficiencies to the written hazard communication program requirement has topped the list of federal OSHA violations as the most cited standard for many years. 

Hazard communication has been one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations. Chapter 2 will help in hazard commnnication training and proper writing of material safety data sheets. The chapter will also go into detail about hazardous materials handling and the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC). 

OSHA recognizes that LOTO is very important. Next to the Hazard Communication Law (Right to Know for Employees), LOTO is the second most frequently cited standard. The enforcement process has resulted in substantial penalties for employers. In fiscal 1996, OSHA cited the following LOTO violations ... 

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