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A deep dive into federal OSHA's top ten cited standards


OSHA's annual list of top ten cited standards rarely has surprises and this year's top 10 looks nearly identical to 2023's, but with a few changes in individual rankings. As has been the case since 2018, OSHA standards for general industry (29 CFR Part 1910) and construction industry standards (Part 1926) each have five standards in the top ten. The list provides valuable guidance on areas of risk that need attention and improved compliance.

For all industries, there is a useful tool on the OSHA website that includes a complete list of inspections, citations, and penalties by industry. If your facility is inspected, there's a very good chance it will include these issues. Employers can also search and view the industry profile for violations of any specific OSHA standard.

  1. Fall Protection - General Requirements (1926.501): 6,307 citations

    For the fourteenth consecutive year, fall protection - general requirements led the pack of OSHA's most frequently cited standards list not only overall, but also in serious and willful citations. The top five sections cited were:

    1. 1926.501(b)(13): Failure to provide adequate fall protection equipment in residential construction activities had 75 percent (4,724) of the citations
    2. 1926.501(b)(1): walking-working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge (702)
    3. 1926.501(b)(10): low slope roofs (354)
    4. 1926.501(b)(10): steep roofs (275)
    5. 1926.501(b)(4): "Holes" (128)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Roofing Contractors (238160)
    • Framing Contractors (238130)
    • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)
    • Siding Contractors (238170)
    • New Single-Family Construction (236115)


  2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,888 citations

    This standard addresses the proper communication of chemical hazards to workers. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1910.1200(e)(1): Failure to develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication plan at each workplace (1,076)
    2. 1910.1200(h)(1): Training and providing information (747)
    3. 1910.1200(g)(8): Safety Data Sheets must be readily accessible to employees (328)
    4. 1910.1200(f)(6): Workplace labeling (296)
    5. 1910.1200(g)(1): Chemical manufacturers and importers must obtain or develop Safety Data Sheets (189)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing (327991) - It's noteworthy that this industry was not in the top five last year
    • Roofing Contractors (238160)
    • Masonry Contractors (238140)
    • Hotels and Motels (excluding casino hotels)(721110)
    • Machine Shops (332710)


  3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,573 citations

    This section covers general requirements for all ladders. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1926.1053(b)(1): The use of portable ladders and side rail height accounted for 68.5 percent of all violations (1,763)
    2. 1926.1053(b)(4): Using ladders for unintended purposes, such as scaffolding, bracing, or as a work platform (204)
    3. 1926.1053(b)(13): Using the top of a stepladder as a step (171)
    4. 1926.1053(b)(22): Carrying any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall (93)
    5. 926.1053(b)(16): Mismanagement of portable ladders with structural defects (69)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Roofing Contractors (238160)
    • Framing Contractors (238130)
    • Siding Contractors (238170)
    • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)
    • New Single-Family Housing Construction (236115)


  4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,470 citations

    Moving up from #7 last year, this standard directs employers on establishing or maintaining a respiratory protection program. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1910.134(e)(1): Medical evaluation before fit-tested or use (508)
    2. 1910.134(c)(1): Written respiratory program (366)
    3. 1910.134(f)(2): Fit-testing (312)
    4. 1910.134(c)(2): Where respirator use is not required (251)
    5. 1910.134(k)(6): Communication with employees (144)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing (327991)
    • Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing (337110)
    • Masonry Contractors (238140)
    • Automotive Body, Paint, Interior Repair and Maintenance (811121)
    • All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (332999)


  5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,443 citations

    Moving up one slot from #6 in FY23, this standard outlines the minimum requirements for the control of hazardous energy during the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1910.147(c)(4): Energy control procedure (738)
    2. 1910.147(c)(7): Training and communication (477)
    3. 1910.147(c)(6): Periodic inspection (377)
    4. 1910.147(c)(1): Establishing a program (210)
    5. 1910.147(d): Application of control (203)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Machine Shops (332710)
    • All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199)
    • Sawmills (321113)
    • Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing (321920)
    • All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (332999)


  6. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,248 citations

    Dropping one spot from last year, this standard covers forklifts and motorized hand trucks as well as operator training requirements. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1910.178(l)(1): Safe operation (531)
    2. 1910.178(l)(4): Refresher training and evaluation (305)
    3. 1910.178(l)(6): Certification of operators (286)
    4. 1910.178(q)(7): Requirements on inspections (172)
    5. 1910.178(p)(1): When PITs need to be taken out of service (153)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • General Warehousing and Storage (493110)
    • Framing Contractors (238130)
    • Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing (327991)
    • Machine Shops (332710)
    • All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (332999)


  7. Fall Protection Training Requirements (1926.503): 2.050 citations

    This standard addresses the training requirements for fall protection. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1926.503(a)(1): Requirements for training program accounted for 66 percent of the citations (1,351)
    2. 1926.503(b)(1): Written certification record (489)
    3. 1926.503(a)(2): Training by a competent person (109)
    4. 1926.503(c)(3): Inadequacies of employee knowledge (94)
    5. 926.503(c): Retraining (6)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Roofing Contractors (238160)
    • Framing Contractors (238130)
    • Siding Contractors (238170)
    • Finish Carpentry Contractors (238350)
    • All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (332999)


  8. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,873 citations

    Dropping down from #4 and with almost 1,000 fewer citations, this standard covers general safety standards for scaffolding. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 926.451(g)(1): Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level (528)
    2. 1926.451(c)(2): Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation (267)
    3. 1926.451(b)(1): Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports (224)
    4. 1926.451(e)(1): Access when scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access (210)
    5. 1926.451(g)(4): Guardrail system requirements (101)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Masonry Contractors (238140)
    • Framing Contractors (238130)
    • Roofing Contractors (238160)
    • Siding Contractors (238170)
    • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)


  9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment - Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,814 citations

    The standard addresses appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards, such as flying particles and chemical gases or vapors. Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1926.102(a)(1): Ensure use of appropriate protective equipment represents 98.8 percent of the citations (1,793)
    2. 1926.102(a)(2): Side protection (14)
    3. 1926.102(a)(3): Prescription Lenses (4)
    4. 1926.102(b)(1): Consensus standards (2)
    5. 1926.102(a)(5): Protectors (1)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Roofing Contractors (238160)
    • Framing Contractors (238130)
    • Masonry Contractors (238140)
    • Siding Contractors (238170)
    • Finish Carpentry Contractors (238350)


  10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,541 citations

    This standard covers guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from hazards, including those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks.Top five sections cited were:

    1. 1910.212(a)(1): Types of guarding (1,008)
    2. 1910.212(a)(3): Point of operation guarding (398)
    3. 1910.212(b): Anchoring fixed machinery (61)
    4. 1910.212(a)(2): General requirements for machine guards (50)
    5. 1910.212(a)(5): Exposure of blades (14)

    The industries with the most citations:

    • Machine Shops (332710)
    • All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (332999)
    • All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199)
    • Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing (332312)
    • Sheet Metal Working Manufacturing (332322)

The ratings reflect the national statistics. For regional ratings