Ensuring workplace safety is crucial for protecting employees and maintaining a productive environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regularly publishes a list of the most frequently cited violations to help employers identify and address common hazards.
Here are the top 10 OSHA violations for 2024, the common issues that lead to them and what you should do immediately if these issues arise in your workplace:
1. Fall Protection (General) – Standard 1926.501
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction, accounting for about one-third of all deaths in the industry. Employers must assess walking and working surfaces to ensure they can safely support workers.
Violations in 2024: 6,307
Most Cited Industry: Construction
Common Issues:
- Lack of proper fall protection equipment (e.g., harnesses, guardrails)
- Insufficient training on fall protection protocols
- Failure to conduct regular safety inspections
Preventative Actions:
- Inspect elevated work areas and install guardrails or fall arrest systems
- Provide or replace harnesses and lanyards
- Ensure proper training and reporting of issues
2. Hazard Communication – Standard 1910.1200
The Hazard Communication Standard ensures that workers and employers are informed about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Violations in 2024: 2,888
Most Cited Industry: Chemical and Industrial Facilities
Common Issues:
- Improper labeling of hazardous materials
- Lack of safety data sheets
- Inadequate employee training in handling chemicals
Preventative Actions:
- Audit processes to ensure proper chemical incorporation
- Ensure SDS are accessible to all employees
- Train all employees initially and as new chemicals are introduced
3. Ladders – Standard 1926.1053
Employers should provide training on safe ladder practices and ensure that ladders are used according to manufacturer recommendations to prevent injuries.
Violations in 2024: 2,573
Most Cited Industry: Construction
Common Issues:
- Using ladders that are damaged or not suitable for the task
- Incorrect ladder setup and use
- Lack of training on safe ladder practices
Preventative Actions:
- Remove damaged ladders from service immediately and report
- Post ladder safety guidelines at job sites
- Ensure proper training for workers on ladder setup and use
4. Respiratory Protection – Standard 1910.134
Employers must develop and implement a written respiratory protection program when airborne contaminants exceed permissible exposure limits.
Violations in 2024: 2,573
Most Cited Industry: Healthcare
Common Issues:
- Failure to provide appropriate respirators
- Lack of a written respiratory protection program
- Inadequate training in respirator use
Preventative Actions:
- Identify tasks requiring respiratory protection
- Choose and distribute proper respirators and conduct medical evaluations where necessary and perform fit tests
- Ensure compliance with written respiratory protection plan
5. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) – Standard 1910.147
Lockout/tagout procedures are critical for preventing accidental startup of machinery during maintenance. Employers should establish and enforce these procedures to protect workers from hazardous energy sources.
Violations in 2024: 2,443
Most Cited Industry: Manufacturing
Common Issues:
- Lack of established lockout/tagout procedures
- Failure to train employees on these procedures
- Inadequate maintenance of equipment
Preventative Actions:
- Don’t begin maintenance work until all procedures are outlined and reviewed
- Post lockout/tagout steps near equipment
- Train affected employees immediately
6. Powered Industrial Trucks – Standard 1910.178
Proper training and maintenance of powered industrial trucks, such as forklifts, are essential to prevent accidents.
Violations in 2024: 2,448
Most Cited Industry: Warehousing and Logistics
Common Issues:
- Insufficient operator training
- Poor maintenance of industrial trucks
- Unsafe operating practices
Preventative Actions:
- Verify operator training and skills
- Inspect forklifts for mechanical issues
- Reinforce safe driving rules on an ongoing basis
7. Scaffolding – Standard 1926.451
Scaffolding accidents can be prevented by ensuring proper assembly, maintenance, and use. Avoiding these issues can prevent serious falls, injuries, or fatalities.
Violations in 2024: 1,873
Most Cited Industry: Construction
Common Issues:
- Improper scaffolding setup
- Lack of regular inspections
- Insufficient training on scaffolding safety
Preventative Actions:
- Inspect all scaffolds for proper set up
- Assign a competent person to inspect daily
- Provide scaffold safety training for all users as needed
8. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Standard 1910.132
Employers must provide appropriate PPE and training on its use to protect workers from various hazards. Regularly assessing workplace hazards and updating PPE requirements can enhance worker safety.
Violations in 2024: 1,814
Most Cited Industry: Manufacturing
Common Issues:
- Failure to provide necessary PPE
- Inadequate training on PPE use
- Poor maintenance of PPE
Preventative Actions:
- Distribute required PPE to all employees
- Post PPE requirements by task or area
- Ensure training on proper usage and storage
9. Machine Guarding – Standard 1910.212
Machine guarding protects workers from moving parts and other hazards associated with machinery. Employers should ensure all machines are equipped with proper guards and provide training on safe machine operation.
Violations in 2024: 1,541
Most Cited Industry: Manufacturing
Common Issues:
- Lack of proper guards on machinery
- Failure to train employees on safe machine operation
- Inadequate maintenance of machine guards
Preventative Actions:
- Audit machines and equipment for proper guarding
- Install missing or repair damaged guards immediately
- Train all workers on machine and equipment safety
10. Eye and Face Protection – Standard 1926.102
Violations in 2024: 1,814
Most Cited Industry: Construction
Common Issues:
- Employees not wearing safety glasses or face shields during tasks with flying particles or chemical splashes
- Lack of hazard assessments to determine PPE needs
- Inadequate training on when and how to use eye and face protection
Preventative Actions:
- Conduct a hazard assessment for tasks involving eye/face risks
- Distribute appropriate PPE (e.g., goggles, face shields)
- Provide initial and refresher training on eye and face protection requirements
Avoiding OSHA violations is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. By addressing these common hazards and taking immediate preventative actions, employers can protect their workers and avoid costly penalties. Investing in safety training and equipment is a proactive approach to creating a safer work environment.
Have you noticed any of these issues in your workplace? What steps are you taking today to fix them?