OSHA Lists Top 10 Cited Safety Violations in FY 2024

For the 14th straight year, Fall Protection-General Requirements tops the list of OSHA’s most frequently cited workplace safety violations, according to a National Safety Council press release.

And here’s the kicker: The associated costs don’t stop at OSHA fines. 

Most Expensive Workplace Injuries

Falls are among the costliest workplace injuries, according to a recent study conducted by Richmond Vona, a personal injury law firm in Buffalo, New York.

The study found that falls are in the top three workplace injuries with the highest compensation payouts (including medical costs and indemnity costs).

What Does OSHA Fine Most?

Scott Ketcham, director of the directorate of enforcement programs for OSHA, and Safety+Health magazine, presented the info during the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Orlando.

The Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for FY 2024 are:

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 6,307 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,888
3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,573
4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,470
5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,443
6. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,248
7. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 2,050
8. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,873
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,814
10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,541

How does this stack up against OSHA’s list of most frequently cited workplace safety standards for FY 2023? The top three spots remain the same – signaling that these areas present an ongoing problem. 

As we head into Q4, it’s a good idea to check in with safety supervisors to confirm that they have a strategy to improve workplace safety and mitigate the risk of injuries.