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The OSHA top ten citation list. We see it every year, but what does it tell us? It covers hospitals, restaurants and yes, construction, but all types of construction. Because California has unique regulations, California data is not included. So just for you, here are the top ten Cal/OSHA citations for painting contractors:

  1. Heat illness. Not having a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP), having a HIPP that is not implemented or effective, or not having all the required elements in the HIPP. [T8 3395(i)] Lack of shade or training is also frequently cited.
     
  2. Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Not having a written IIPP, having an IIPP that is not implemented or effective, or not having all the required elements in the IIPP. This often comes from failure to identify or correct hazards. Do good inspections where you find hazards and document that you correct them. [T8 1509(a) and 3203(a] Recordkeeping is cited often too.
     
  3. Respiratory Protection. Using the wrong respirator for the hazard. Not doing the annual medical evaluation and fit test. Not cleaning and properly storing respirator. [T8 5144]
     
  4. Ladders. Not properly inspecting or using ladders and not training employees on their inspection and use. The instructions and training material are stuck on the ladder; what an easy tailgate. [T8 3276 and 1675]
     
  5. Personal Fall Protection. Not tying off when working at heights. [T8 1670(a)]
     
  6. Code of Safe Practice (COSP). Not having a written COSP or not having it posted on the site. [T8 1509(b) and (c)]
     
  7. Emergency medical services. Not having enough, or no, people current in first aid training. This training is required every two years. View First Aid/CPR training as an employee benefit and offer it to everyone. [T8 1512(b)]
     
  8. COVID. Not having or not complying with your COVID plan.
     
  9. Reporting work-connected fatalities and serious injuries. Failure to report a death, or an injury or illness that requires inpatient hospitalization for other than observation or in which an employee suffers an amputation, the loss of an eye, or any serious degree of permanent disfigurement to Cal/OSHA within 8 hours. [T8 342(a)]
     
  10. Fall Protection in a boom lift. Not tying off when working in a boom lift. [T8 3648(o)]

This is the low-hanging fruit. If you take care of these issues, you will make the Cal/OSHA inspector’s job a lot harder, in a good way.

If you have safety questions or concerns, contact Jeannie Simpelo to take advantage of this valuable member benefit!