Graphic Products, Inc. Releases Guide Listing Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2008

Beaverton, OR, January 21, 2009 --(PR.com)-- A new guide, “The Top Ten OSHA Violations in 2008,” from Graphic Products, Inc. encourages safety in the workplace by outlining the top 10 most frequently cited standards in 2008. The guide provides specific code references associated with each violation and reinforces the need to create proper workplace safety labels to prevent injuries, fatalities, and fines.

Two lists are provided in the guide. The first list notes the total number of violations for each given safety hazard category. The second list shows the top ten OSHA violations based on the level of the penalties assessed.

“The importance of taking precautions to avoid citations, and ultimately prevent injuries and save lives, cannot be understated,” said Steve Hudgik, marketing manager at Graphic Products. “As evidenced in this guide, although 2008 saw significant improvements in safety, there is still a lot of work to be done. Oftentimes employers and workers take safety shortcuts thinking they’ll save time or money. The end result is highlighted by this new guide. ”

The guide states that the number one most frequently cited OSHA standard relates to general requirements for scaffolding in the construction industry (OHSA code 29 CFR 1926.451). A Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) study reports that 72% of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object. A total of 9,861 citations were issued by OSHA in fiscal year 2008 (October 2007 – September 2008) for failure to meet these general requirements.

Some other categories that made the list of frequently cited OSHA standards include:

● Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals
● Powered Industrial Trucks, General Industry
● Walking-working Surfaces, General Requirements
● Electrical, Hazardous (classified) Locations

The guide is provided to serve as a reminder to employers and employees alike about the seriousness of adhering to OSHA guidelines. Each of the two lists illustrates, in general, the reasoning behind the specific citations and severity of consequences—physically and financially—for not following OSHA standards.

Communicating the need to follow safety procedures, as well as informing workers about those procedures, is an important part of improving safety. The Top Ten OSHA Violations Guide helps both employers and workers understand the need for following safety procedures. Safety signs and labels are an important part of keeping workers informed about safety procedures.

“An important component of safety is providing safety information at the point of need,” said Hudgik. “Safety signs and labels made by DuraLabel printers have proven to be an effective means of doing this. They effectively provide visual warning about hazards, and provide on-the-spot information about safety requirements and procedures.”

Graphic Products has been a leading label printer and supplies dealer since 1970. They are the manufacturer of the DuraLabel PRO label printer, and they carry a wide variety of labelers made by other manufacturers. They stock label printer brands such as Brady, Kroy, Brother, K-Sun, Dymo and Varitronics. They also stock supplies for discontinued label printers. Graphic Products specializes in fast, same-day shipping to meet their customers’ just-in-time delivery requirements. For a complete look at the new site, or to order supplies, visit www.duralabelsupplies.com directly. Supplies may be ordered by calling 1-800-788-5572.

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