OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations – What Businesses Need to Know
Each year, OSHA releases its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety violations, providing valuable insights for businesses to strengthen their safety programs and reduce risks.
For 2024, the top 10 most cited violations were:
1. Fall Protection—General Requirements (6,307 violations)
2. Hazard Communication (2,888 violations)
3. Ladders (2,573 violations)
4. Respiratory Protection (2,470 violations)
5. Lockout/Tagout (2,443 violations)
6. Powered Industrial Trucks (2,248 violations)
7. Fall Protection—Training Requirements (2,050 violations)
8. Scaffolding (1,873 violations)
9. Eye & Face Protection (1,814 violations)
10. Machine Guarding (1,541 violations)
This is preliminary data and may be subject to change. However, it highlights key areas where businesses can improve their safety and compliance efforts to reduce risks.
Who Is Most Impacted?
These violations have serious implications for construction, manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, oil & gas, and agriculture—industries where fall hazards, heavy machinery, respiratory risks, and hazardous materials are common. Addressing these risks is not just about OSHA compliance; it’s about protecting employees, reducing downtime, and controlling insurance costs.
Key Takeaways:
▪️ Fall protection remains the most frequently cited violation for the 14th consecutive year
▪️ Respiratory protection violations increased, emphasizing the need for proper PPE and air quality control
▪️ Scaffolding violations decreased but remain a significant concern for construction sites
Workplace safety is a critical factor in risk management and reducing insurance costs. At ST JOHNS RISK PARTNERS, we help our clients identify risk exposures and connect them with proactive safety tools and resources to mitigate hazards and improve compliance.
What steps is your company taking to reduce workplace safety risks?
