During the coming weeks we will be looking at the top 10 Federal OSHA violations for small companies (1-19 employees) across 10 federal classifications.

First up is construction. In total in the 2010 fiscal year OSHA inspected 16,473small construction companies and handed out 50,630 citations.

These citations cost employers more than $46 million or an average of about $900 a citation.

Here are the top 10 citations.

1. General Requirements

  • CFR 192604581
  • 8,506 cited
  • $8.5 million in fines
  • $999 avg. fine

2.Duty to have fall protection

  • CFR 19260501
  • 7,654 cited
  • $11.125 million in fines
  • $1,453 avg. fine

3.Ladders

  • CFR 19261053
  • 3,961 citied
  • $2.84 million in fines
  • $716 avg. fine

4.Training Requirements

  • CFR 19260503
  • 2,473 cited
  • $1.63 million in fines
  • $659 avg. fine

5.Hazard Communication

  • CFR 19101200
  • 2,029 cited
  • $555K in fines
  • $273 avg. fine

6.General Safety and Health Provisions

  • CFR 1926.020
  • 2,025 cited
  • $1.43 million in fines
  • $706 avg. fine

7.Head Protection

  • CFR 1926.100
  • 1,811 cited
  • $1.15 million in fines
  • $635 avg. fine

8.Eye and Face Protection

  • CFR 1926.102
  • 1,476 citied
  • $849k in fines
  • $575 avg. fine

9. Specific Excavation Requirements

  • CFR 1926.651
  • 1,436 cited
  • $1.87 million in fines
  • $1,266 avg. fine

10. Aerial Lifts

  • CFR 1926.453
  • 1,376 citied
  • $1.39 million in fines
  • $1,010 avg. fine

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