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In fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024), OSHA issued more than 20,000 serious safety citations, with the same ten standards dominating the list year after year. These repeat violations are not just bureaucratic technicalities—they spotlight critical blind spots that cost lives, rack up fines, and damage reputations. Here’s a deep dive into each one, complete with insights to help you get (and stay) compliant.
1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501)
6,307 violations made this the most-cited standard—for the 14th straight year. When employees work at heights (6 ft+ in construction; 4 ft+ in general industry), you must install guardrails, safety nets, or personal arrest systems. Altering or ignoring these protections exposes workers to one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities—while also attracting steep penalties.
Make it real for your team:
- Educate employees about fall risk awareness and protection use
- Regularly audit barriers, lifelines, and anchorage systems
- Ensure supervisors enforce compliance relentlessly
2. Hazard Communication – General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
This chemical-safety rule came in second with 2,888 citations. Employers must maintain a written hazard-communication program, properly label chemicals, update Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and train staff.
Practical actions:
- Audit your SDS library for completeness and access
- Confirm every container is accurately labeled
- Schedule regular refresher trainings to reinforce awareness
3. Ladders – Construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
Portable ladder misuse led to 2,573 violations this past year. Things like unstable footing, improper extension, or damaged rungs have real injury potential.
Fixes that work:
- Implement a daily ladder inspection routine
- Train employees on correct ladder angle, extension and stability
- Immediately remove any ladders with visible damage
4. Respiratory Protection – General Industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
With rising concerns over airborne hazards, 2,470 violations flagged ongoing problems.
Absent or inadequate respiratory programs can expose workers to severe health risks.
Your action plan:
- Conduct fit-testing and medical evaluations
- Establish a complete respiratory protection program
- Ensure consistent use and maintenance of equipment
5. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) – General Industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
Unsecured machinery under maintenance led to 2,443 significant citations. Without proper procedures, machines can unexpectedly energize, leading to fatal incidents.
Must-do steps:
- Enforce energy-isolation protocols with locks and tags
- Train anyone working with or near machinery
- Audit procedures frequently and update them as needed
6. Powered Industrial Trucks – General Industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
Forklift hazards resulted in 2,248 violations.
Keep your fleet safe:
- Require certifications for all operators
- Provide ongoing refresher training
- Keep trucks in top condition with regular maintenance
7. Fall Protection Training Requirements – Construction (29 CFR 1926.503)
A surprising 2,050 citations showed that providing fall gear isn’t enough—you must show people how to use it.
Training tips:
- Deliver job-specific fall protection training
- Track attendance, test comprehension, and revisit topics annually
- Empower supervisors to reinforce safe behavior on site
8. Scaffolding – Construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
Unsafe scaffolding conditions caused 1,873 violations.
Ensure scaffold safety by:
- Having qualified experts design and inspect setups
- Checking foundations, planking, and guardrails daily
- Enforcing load capacities and safe access
9. Eye & Face Protection – Construction (29 CFR 1926.102)
1,814 violations were registered regarding eye and face protection.
Protect vision by:
- Conducting hazard assessments for flying debris, chemicals, sparks
- Supplying ANSI-compliant goggles or face shields
- Enforcing PPE use and maintaining clean, damage-free gear
10. Machine Guarding – General Industry (29 CFR 1910.212)
At 1,541 citations, exposed machinery remains a threat.
Here’s how to guard machines:
- Install fixed or interlocked guards on exposed moving parts
- Restrict guard removal to trained maintenance staff
- Schedule inspections to catch missing or malfunctioning guards early
Why This Matters to Your Bottom Line
Persistent violations of these ten standards don’t just risk lives—they drain your resources. OSHA fines for serious violations can start above £13,000 ($16,550 USD) per incident, and that’s before repeat or willful infractions are added. More critically, each injury affects morale, productivity—and your business’s reputation.
How to Turn the Tide: Your Compliance Playbook
- Leverage the Top-10 List – Structure your internal audits around these risk areas.
- Stay Rigorous with Training – Knowledge gaps are the fastest route to citation.
- Document Everything – From toolbox talks to inspections, records are your defense.
- Empower Supervisors – Leaders on the ground must champion compliance daily.
- Seek External Insight – Free OSHA consultations or third-party audits pay dividends.
Final Word
OSHA’s annual citations are not arbitrary—they point to real, recurring threats that hurt employees and cost businesses dearly. By proactively addressing these ten most-cited violations, you’re not just avoiding penalties—you’re safeguarding your people and protecting your brand. The most successful companies make safety a strategic advantage, not a box to tick.
Stay safe. Stay smart. Stay ahead.
Sources & Further Reading
NAHB summary of higher penalties in 2025
OSHA’s “Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards, FY 2024”
National Safety Council coverage of the list of Top 10 Safety Violations
Evotix breakdown of citation trends
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