Jacksonville OSHA Violation Lawyers

 

Top Ten OSHA Violations for FY 2010

Every day in this country 14 workers lose their lives in fatal workplace accidents. That translates to almost 100 deaths a week that were largely preventable had safety regulations been followed under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970.

Most states have adopted the OSHA standards in some form that keep workers safe at construction and other work sites, an office, manufacturing plant or an oil rig. Employers are required to provide a “place of employment [that is free] from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.”

The Act specifies how many medical and first aid kits must be in a workplace, how toxic chemicals must be stored, fire protection, exit plans, guardrails, and scaffolding. There are also regulations regarding safety, such as placement of medical and first aid kits, fire extinguishers, proper ventilation and protective devices or coverings for workers as well as tools.

When the regulations have been violated and you become injured, you may have the right to recover damages for physical pain, medical bills, pain and suffering and time missed from work, and even death.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) OSHA Safety and Health Topics page, the following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010):

1. Scaffolding, general requirements, construction
2. Fall protection, construction
3. Hazard communication standard, general industry
4. Ladders, construction
5. Respiratory protection, general industry
6. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry
7. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry
8. Powered industrial trucks, general industry
9. Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry
10. Machines, general requirements, general industry

For more detailed information, visit Frequently Cited OSHA Standards.

If you think your workplace is unsafe or you believe your employer may be violating OSHA safety standards, you can take the following steps. It is illegal for you to be fired or discriminated against for reporting potential OSHA violations. There are legal steps you can take should this occur.

How to File an OSHA Complaint

You have these options to file your safety and health complaint:

1. Online – Go to the Online Complaint Form. Written complaints that are signed by workers or their representative and submitted to an OSHA Area or Regional office are more likely to result in onsite OSHA inspections. Complaints received on line from workers in OSHA-approved state plan states will be forwarded to the appropriate state plan for response.
2. Download and Fax/Mail – Download the OSHA complaint form (or request a copy from your local OSHA Regional or Area Office), complete it and then fax or mail it back to your local OSHA Regional or Area Office. Written complaints that are signed by a worker or representative and submitted to the closest OSHA Area Office are more likely to result in onsite OSHA inspections. Please include your name, address and telephone number so we can contact you to follow up. This information is confidential.
3. Telephone – Your local OSHA Regional or Area Office. OSHA staff can discuss your complaint and respond to any questions you have. If there is an emergency or the hazard is immediately life-threatening, call your local OSHA Regional or Area Office or 1-800-321-OSHA.

Get Legal Assistance from a Jacksonville OSHA Violation Attorney

If you are not sure whether your employer may be violating OSHA rules, report it immediately. The life you save could be yours or your co-worker’s. If you would like to consult an attorney who is knowledgeable about OSHA guidelines, call Farah & Farah’s Jacksonville OSHA violation lawyers at 877-245-6707 today. Your consultation is confidential and free.