OSHA's most frequently cited standards consistently include fall protection (general requirements), hazard communication, ladders, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, powered industrial trucks, fall protection training, scaffolding, eye and face protection, and machine guarding. Fall protection has been the number one citation for more than a decade.
Key takeaways
- Fall protection has topped OSHA's list every year for more than a decade.
- The list barely changes year to year, so it's a reliable roadmap for where to focus.
- Many top citations are paperwork and training failures, not just missing equipment.
- Construction and general industry standards both make the list.
- Good training and regular self-inspections prevent most of these citations.
The standards OSHA cites most
Here are the standards that consistently appear on OSHA's annual top 10, with the most common reasons employers get cited. Exact rankings shift slightly from year to year; check OSHA's current list for the latest order.
| Standard | Applies to | Common problems |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Protection: General Requirements (1926.501) | Construction | Unprotected edges, roofs, and holes at 6 feet or more |
| Hazard Communication (1910.1200) | All industries | No written program, missing SDSs, unlabeled containers, no training |
| Ladders (1926.1053) | Construction | Ladders not extended 3 ft above landing, damaged ladders, using top step |
| Respiratory Protection (1910.134) | All industries | No written program, no medical evaluations or fit tests |
| Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) | General industry | No energy control procedures, no periodic inspections, no training |
| Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) | General industry | Untrained or unevaluated operators, damaged trucks left in service |
| Fall Protection: Training (1926.503) | Construction | No training by a competent person, no written certification |
| Scaffolding (1926.451) | Construction | Missing guardrails, poor access, unsound footing, no competent person |
| Eye and Face Protection (1926.102) | Construction | No protection for flying particles, chemicals, or welding |
| Machine Guarding (1910.212) | General industry | Missing or removed guards at points of operation |
What the list tells you
Look closely and a pattern jumps out: a lot of these are paperwork and training problems. Hazard communication, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, forklifts, and fall protection training all require written programs, documented training, or both. Employers often have the right equipment but can't show OSHA the program or records behind it.
A practical self-check
For construction sites
- Walk every edge, opening, and roof. Is anything 6 feet or higher unprotected?
- Check every ladder for damage, setup, and the 3-foot extension.
- Have a competent person inspect scaffolds before each shift.
- Confirm you have written certification of fall protection training for every exposed worker.
- Make sure eye and face protection is on hand and in use for cutting, grinding, nailing, and chemicals.
For facilities and general industry
- Is your hazard communication program written, and is every chemical container labeled with an SDS on file?
- Does every machine have written lockout/tagout procedures, and have you done your periodic inspection this year?
- Has every forklift operator been trained and evaluated, with an evaluation at least every three years?
- If anyone wears a respirator (other than voluntary dust mask use), do you have medical evaluations and annual fit tests on file?
- Walk the floor and look for missing or bypassed machine guards.
From the field: The supervisors who prevent citations are the ones who know what an inspector looks for. That's a big part of what OSHA 30 teaches, and why I recommend it for every foreman and facility lead.
What citations cost
OSHA penalties are adjusted for inflation every year and can exceed $16,000 per serious violation and $165,000 per willful or repeat violation. Read our guide to OSHA penalties and inspections for the details.
Want your supervisors to spot these problems before OSHA does? Book OSHA 30 for your leads.
Frequently asked questions
What is OSHA's most cited standard?
Fall Protection - General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501) in construction. It has been OSHA's most frequently cited standard every year for more than a decade.
Where does OSHA publish the top 10 list?
OSHA announces its preliminary top 10 most frequently cited standards each fiscal year and posts them on osha.gov. The list typically comes out in the fall.
Are these the most dangerous hazards?
Not exactly. The list shows what OSHA cites most often during inspections, which reflects both how common a hazard is and how often employers fall short. Several, like fall protection, are also major causes of deaths and serious injuries.
How can I check my site against this list?
Walk your site with the list in hand, review your written programs (HazCom, respiratory, lockout/tagout), and check training records. An OSHA 30 course is a good way to give supervisors the knowledge to do this regularly.