What Are the Top 10 Workplace Safety Violations?
April 26, 2016

- Fall Protection (1926.501) – 6,721
- Hazard Communication (1910.1200) – 5,192
- Scaffolding (1926.451) – 4,295
- Respiratory Protection (1910.134) – 3,305
- Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) – 3,002*
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) – 2,760
- Ladders (1926.1053) – 2,489
- Electrical – Wiring Methods (1910.305) – 2,404
- Machine Guarding (1910.212) – 2,295
- Electrical – General Requirements (1910.303) – 1,973
(This is the control of hazardous energy, specifically “the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy, could harm employees.”)*
You may notice that each and every one of these applies to the construction industry in some way, so you might think that they don’t apply to you if you aren’t a construction worker. But the number one safety violation – falls – can happen to anyone, anywhere, in any industry.
If you trip, slip and fall while you are at work in Philadelphia, or in the course of performing your duties, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. A serious fall could cause you to break a bone, sprain a wrist or other joint, or even suffer a traumatic head injury.
How do I know if an injury is covered by workers’ compensation?
If you are not sure whether or not you have a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, ask yourself these questions:
- Were you injured while carrying out the duties of your job?
- Are you considered an employee?
- Did you develop an illness as the result of the work that you do?
- Did you develop a chronic condition that you believe was caused by the work that you do, or by the elements to which you are exposed?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you are likely eligible for workers’ compensation in Philadelphia. So if you slipped at work, were hit by a falling object, weren’t given the proper safety equipment for your job, were exposed to dangerous chemicals, or strained your tendons, joints or muscles because you performed the same moves over and over again each day – or any number of things – you want to speak with a dedicated Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you can.
Larry Pitt & Associates has represented the rights of injured workers in and around Philadelphia for more than 30 years. If you sustained a serious work injury or developed an illness on account of your job, we want to help. Please contact us to schedule a consultation at one of our offices. We proudly serve Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.