OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations and How to Avoid Them

 Workplace safety isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a legal requirement. Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases a list of the Top 10 most cited workplace safety violations. These violations highlight the most common safety hazards that put workers at risk and cost businesses thousands in penalties.

In this post, we’ll explore OSHA’s most frequent citations and provide practical tips on how your company can avoid them



1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)

Falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in construction. OSHA requires employers to provide proper fall protection systems such as guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems.
How to avoid it: Train employees, provide harnesses, and conduct regular inspections of elevated work areas.

2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)

Employees must be informed about the chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace. This includes proper labeling, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and employee training.
How to avoid it: Maintain updated chemical inventories, ensure labels are visible, and train staff on handling hazardous substances.

3. Ladders (1926.1053)

Improper ladder use is a common violation that leads to falls and serious injuries.
How to avoid it: Provide the right type of ladder for the task, ensure ladders are in good condition, and train workers on safe ladder use.

4. Scaffolding (1926.451)

Improper scaffold construction and lack of fall protection frequently cause accidents.
How to avoid it: Ensure scaffolds are built by qualified personnel, inspected regularly, and equipped with guardrails or fall arrest systems.

5. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)

Forklift safety violations include improper operation, lack of certification, and poor maintenance.
How to avoid it: Require operators to complete OSHA-compliant forklift certification and conduct daily equipment inspections.

6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)

Failure to control hazardous energy during servicing or maintenance leads to severe injuries.
How to avoid it: Implement written lockout/tagout procedures, provide proper equipment, and train employees on energy control methods.

7. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)

Many employers fail to provide adequate fall protection training, leaving workers vulnerable.
How to avoid it: Conduct comprehensive fall protection training and maintain training records.

8. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)

Lack of proper PPE for tasks like welding, grinding, or chemical handling is a frequent citation.
How to avoid it: Supply ANSI-approved safety glasses, face shields, and train employees on when and how to use them.

9. Machine Guarding (1910.212)

Unprotected machinery exposes workers to serious hazards such as amputations and crushing injuries.
How to avoid it: Install guards on all dangerous machine parts and train workers on safe operating procedures.

10. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)

Employers often fail to provide appropriate respirators or conduct fit testing and medical evaluations.
How to avoid it: Assess workplace air quality, provide the correct respirators, and implement a written respiratory protection program.

Final Thoughts

By understanding OSHA’s Top 10 most cited violations, employers can take proactive steps to improve workplace safety, protect employees, and avoid costly fines. Investing in proper training, safety programs, and compliance measures not only saves money but also creates a safer and more productive work environment.

FAQs 

1. What are OSHA’s Top 10 most cited violations?
OSHA’s Top 10 violations include issues like fall protection, hazard communication, scaffolding, ladder safety, forklift operation, lockout/tagout, PPE, and machine guarding.

2. Why are fall protection violations the most common OSHA citation?
Falls are the leading cause of workplace deaths in construction, making fall protection violations the most frequently cited by OSHA.

3. How can employers prevent OSHA citations?
Employers can prevent citations by providing proper training, maintaining safety equipment, following OSHA standards, and conducting regular safety inspections.

4. What happens if a company gets cited by OSHA?
If cited, a company may face fines, required corrective actions, and potential repeat inspections. Severe or repeated violations can result in significant penalties.

5. Do OSHA’s Top 10 violations change every year?
Yes. OSHA updates its list annually based on inspections, though issues like fall protection, hazard communication, and forklift safety consistently remain among the top citations.

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