The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has released the annual list of their top 10 most cited violations. The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2011 (Oct 1, 2010 through Sept 30, 2011):

Unprotected trenches are among the most dangerous hazards a construction worker can face; between 2003 and 2011, more than 200 workers have been killed in trench cave-ins. Hundreds more have been seriously injured. To help combat this problem, OSHA has produced a number of guidance documents aimed at keeping construction firms in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 (as well as their counterparts from state-approved plans).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released the Workplace Injury and Illness Summary for 2010. According to the BLS, there were 3.1 million nonfatal workplace injuries reported by private industry in 2010. The incidence rate of 3.5 per 100 equivalent full-time workers is down from a rate of 3.6 in 2009. Total recordable cases among private industry employees have declined significantly since 2002, the first time the report was published.

Nail guns are one of the most commonly used tools on the jobsite. Unfortunately, they are also commonly the cause of injuries, most of which are easily preventable.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released new guidance for nail gun safety, including best practices for safe use and gun type recommendations.

The key to spending fewer WC claims dollars is more than just stopping a few workplace accidents; it's having a sound safety program designed to continuously improve.