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

For businesses and safety professionals, the list of OSHA’s most frequently cited violations is more than just a list of infractions; it’s a roadmap to the most common and dangerous hazards in the workplace. Year after year, these standards remain at the top, indicating persistent risks that can lead to severe injury, costly fines, and even fatalities. By understanding and addressing these recurring issues, you can proactively protect your team and maintain compliance.

Let’s dive into OSHA’s Top 10 most cited violations for 2024 and learn how to avoid them.

The Top 10 List

While the exact numbers can shift annually, the top categories remain consistent. According to OSHA’s data, the most frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2024 were:

Fall Protection (Construction): This has been the number one violation for 14 consecutive years. It primarily involves a lack of fall protection systems for workers on elevated surfaces.
Hazard Communication: Violations often stem from improper labeling of chemical containers, missing or outdated Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and inadequate employee training on chemical hazards.
Ladders (Construction): Common issues include using damaged ladders, not using ladders for their intended purpose, and a lack of proper three-point contact while climbing.
Respiratory Protection: This includes failure to establish a written respiratory protection program, neglecting medical evaluations and fit-testing for workers, and not providing appropriate respirators.
Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout): This standard is cited when employers fail to implement proper procedures to prevent machinery from starting up unexpectedly during maintenance or servicing.
Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts): Violations are typically related to a lack of proper operator training, unsafe operation, and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
Fall Protection – Training Requirements (Construction): Separate from the general standard, this violation specifically addresses the failure to provide adequate and documented training for employees who face fall hazards.
Scaffolding (Construction): Citations are issued for improper scaffold construction, a lack of guardrails, overloading, or using defective components.
Eye and Face Protection: This violation occurs when employers fail to provide or ensure the use of appropriate eye and face protection for workers exposed to hazards like flying particles, chemical splashes, or radiation.
Machine Guarding: This involves a lack of proper machine guards to protect workers from hazards created by rotating parts, flying chips, sparks, or points of operation.

How to Avoid These Violations

Preventing these common violations is not just about compliance; it’s about building a robust safety culture. Here are key strategies for each category:

Fall Protection: ⚠️ Solution: Install and maintain guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems (harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points). Ensure workers are trained to use them correctly.
Hazard Communication: ☣️ Solution: Maintain an up-to-date, comprehensive written program. Ensure all chemical containers are clearly labeled and that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are easily accessible to all employees.
Ladders: 🪜 Solution: Regularly inspect all ladders for damage before use. Train employees on the proper use of ladders, including the three-point contact rule, and how to select the right ladder for the job.
Respiratory Protection: 💨 Solution: Develop a written program that includes fit-testing and medical evaluations for all workers who use respirators. Provide the correct type of respirator for the specific hazard.
Lockout/Tagout: 🔒 Solution: Create and implement documented, machine-specific LOTO procedures. Train authorized employees and conduct periodic inspections to ensure procedures are followed.
Powered Industrial Trucks: 🚚 Solution: All forklift operators must be certified through comprehensive, hands-on training. Conduct daily pre-use inspections on all vehicles and enforce safe operating rules.
Scaffolding: 🏗️ Solution: Scaffolds must be designed, erected, and dismantled by a competent person. Ensure all components are in good condition and that guardrails are installed at all required heights.
Eye and Face Protection: 😎 Solution: Conduct a hazard assessment to determine the appropriate PPE. Provide the correct eyewear (e.g., safety glasses, goggles, face shields) and enforce their use in all hazardous areas.
Machine Guarding: ⚙️ Solution: Install and maintain rigid, secure guards on all machinery to prevent contact with moving parts. Train operators on the purpose and importance of machine guarding.

By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of accidents, protect your workforce, and avoid becoming a part of OSHA’s next “Top 10” list.