The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) just announced its 2024 Top 10 list of most frequently cited standards at this year’s National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress and Expo. For the 14th consecutive year, Fall Protection remains number 1, while Respiratory Protection climbed to number 4. The jump from number 7 to 4 this year illustrates the danger respiratory hazards pose.
Millions of workers are required to wear respirators in various workplaces throughout the United States due to insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death. In contrast, compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually. (OSHA.gov)
As part of this Standard, employers must reduce exposures to the lowest level achievable by utilizing the Hierarchy of Controls. When respirator use is required, employers are required to implement a written respirator protection program.
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Download the OSHA Top 10 infographic here.
