OSHA Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations
January 23, 2023
For the twelfth consecutive year Fall Protection – General Requirements in construction (1926.501) is number one on OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Standards list.
Even though OSHA cites businesses in the construction industry most often for fall protection violations, it’s important to realize “the hazard [falls] is present in most workplaces. Ladders, staircases, powered platforms, unprotected floor holes and any elevated work.” as stated by Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs in an interview with the National Safety Councils Safety+Health publication.
| Top 10 most frequently cited violations – FY 2022 | |||
| Ranking | Standard | Standard Number | Number of Violations |
| 1 | Fall Protection – General Requirements | 1926.501 | 5,260 |
| 2 | Hazard Communication | 1910.1200 | 2,424 |
| 3 | Respiratory Protection | 1910.134 | 2,185 |
| 4 | Ladders | 1926.1053 | 2,143 |
| 5 | Scaffolding | 1926.451 | 2,058 |
| 6 | Lockout/Tagout | 1910.147 | 1,977 |
| 7 | Powered Industrial Trucks | 1910.178 | 1,749 |
| 8 | Fall Protection – Training Requirements | 1926.503 | 1,556 |
| 9 | Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection | 1926.102 | 1,401 |
| 10 | Machine Guarding | 1910.212 | 1,370 |
Additionally, OSHA recently enacted an Emphasis Program for Region 3 (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia) targeting businesses with warehousing and/or forklift operations. Please refer to the Lyons Risk Control TIP – OSHA Targets Warehousing for additional information.
If you have questions regarding how to prepare for an OSHA Inspection and / or OSHA Compliance please contact the Lyons Risk Control Department for assistance.
