The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) keeps records not only of the most frequently cited standards overall, but also within particular industries. The most recent statistics from OSHA reveal the top standards cited in the fiscal year 2019 for the hospital industry. This top 10 list comprises establishments that provide medical, diagnostic and treatment services that include physician, nursing and other health services to inpatients and the specialized accommodation services required by inpatients. Hospitals may also provide outpatient services as a secondary activity. Establishments in the hospitals subsector provide inpatient health services, many of which can only be provided using the specialized facilities and equipment that form a significant and integral part of the production process.
Description of Violation | Cited Standard Number | ACV* |
1. Bloodborne Pathogens – Protection against occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. | $1,649 | |
2. Hazard Communication – Properly transmitting information on chemical hazards through a comprehensive program, container labeling, SDS and training. | $1,985 | |
3. Reporting Fatalities, Hospitalizations, Amputations, and Losses of an Eye – Following the reporting guidelines set by OSHA following death, hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye due to a work-related incident. | $5,238 | |
4. General Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements – Selecting the correct PPE, providing instruction, monitoring its use and maintaining the PPE to standards. | $2,012 | |
5. Permit-required Confined Spaces – Practices and procedures to protect employees from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces. | $413 | |
6. General Electrical Requirements – Ensuring electric equipment is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. | $338 | |
7. Maintenance, Safeguards and Operational Features for Exit Routes – Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations. | $1,167 | |
8. Asbestos – Regulating asbestos exposure in all work as defined in 29 CFR 1926.1001, as well as construction-specific circumstances, to keep employees safe from hazard. | $3,085 | |
9. Wiring Methods, Components and Equipment for General Use –Using proper wiring techniques and equipment to ensure safe electrical continuity. | $0 | |
10. Respirable Crystalline Silica – Controlling occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica in construction work. | $0 |
*ACV (Average Cost per Violation) - The dollar amount represents the average cost per violation that employers in this industry paid in 2019. To understand the full capacity and scope of each standard, click on the standard number to visit www.osha.gov and view the language in its entirety. Source: OSHA.gov Design © 2013, 2015, 2017-2019 Zywave, Inc.
