OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Health and Safety Violations of 2024

Workplace safety should always be a top priority, and one of the best ways to strengthen safety programs is by leveraging past data to inform future initiatives. Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases a list of the most frequently cited health and safety violations, offering valuable insight into where companies commonly fall short. Understanding these violations can help employers proactively address hazards, enhance compliance and protect their workforce from unnecessary risks. 

Top 10 Most Cited Health and Safety Standards of 2024 

Below is the list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards of 2024. These violations highlight critical areas where employers must improve compliance to ensure a safer workplace. 

1. Fall Protection, General Requirements: 6,307 violations

Topping the list for the 14th year in a row is fall protection. OSHA standard 1926.501 requires that employers provide fall protection systems such as guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems for workers exposed to falls of six feet or more in construction and four feet in general industry. 

2. Hazard Communication: 2,888 violations 

OSHA standard 1910.1200 ensures that employees understand the hazards associated with chemicals they work with. Violations of this standard included failure to implement and maintain a written hazard communication program, provide training on hazardous chemicals and maintain required safety data sheets (SDSs). 

3. Ladders: 2,573 violations 

OSHA 1926.1053 requires employers to ensure that ladders are properly used, secured and maintained. Most claims against this standard violated 1926.1053(b)(1) which states that portable ladders must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface or be securely fastened with a grasping device if extension is not possible. 

4. Respiratory Protection: 2,470 violations 

Employers are required to provide respirators when necessary to protect employees from harmful airborne contaminants, as mandated by OSHA 1910.134. Violations of this standard included failure to provide medical evaluations, implement respiratory protection programs or procedures and ensure use of tight-fitting facepieces. 

5. Lockout/Tagout: 2,443 violations 

OSHA 1910.147 requires employers to implement procedures to prevent accidental machine start-ups or energy releases during maintenance. Citations against proper lockout/tagout processes included violations against energy control procedures, training and communication and periodic inspection. 

6. Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,248 violations  

OSHA's 1910.178 mandates the safe operation of forklifts and other industrial trucks. Common violations of this standard came from unsafe vehicle operations and failure to conduct refresher training or evaluation. 

7. Fall Protection, Training Requirements: 2,050 violations  

OSHA 1926.503 requires employers to provide fall protection training to employees exposed to fall hazards. Most 2024 violations stemmed from the failure of employers to provide a training program for employees exposed to fall hazards. 

8. Scaffolding: 1,873 violations 

OSHA 1926.451 establishes requirements for scaffold design, construction and use. Common scaffold safety violations included lack of fall protection for heights over 10 feet, improper foundation support, incomplete planking or decking and failure to provide proper access methods. 

9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection: 1,814 violations 

Employers are required to provide appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to hazards such as chemical splashes or flying particles to comply with OSHA 1926.102. A majority of violations against 1926.102 were caused by a failure to ensure appropriate eye or face protection in necessary conditions. 

10. Machine Guarding: 1,541 violations 

OSHA 1910.212 mandates that employers install proper machine guards to prevent contact with moving parts. Common violations included improper types of guarding and points of operation guarding.

Takeaways From the Report

While these violations may be disheartening to see, there is still some good news. For all of the 10 most cited health and safety standards listed above, the total number of violations has decreased from last year’s report. This represents a growing commitment from organization leaders to prioritize health and safety in the workplace.  

For companies looking to improve their safety programs, this report serves as a valuable roadmap. By analyzing the most common violations, organizations can assess their own practices, identify potential gaps and take proactive steps to address risks before they result in a violation or, more importantly, injuries. Conducting regular audits, enhancing employee training and reinforcing compliance with OSHA standards are all ways to help strengthen workplace safety. Leveraging health and safety software can also streamline these efforts by providing real-time data and automating compliance tracking to ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively. 

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