Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Violations 2024 List Revealed

Updated on: 12 November 2024

Ensuring workplace safety is paramount across all industries, regardless of the hazards present. Employers are responsible for adhering to OSHA's safety standards and regulations to protect their workers. Unfortunately, many employers overlook these rules, putting their employees at risk.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a critical role in setting and enforcing these safety standards. OSHA regulations are designed to ensure a zero-accident workplace and protect workers from unnecessary risks. Each year, OSHA releases a list of the most common violations based on inspections, offering a clear insight into areas where safety improvements are necessary.

This blog provides an overview of the top 10 OSHA violations for 2024, along with practical strategies to help employers avoid penalties and ensure compliance.

Top 10 OSHA Violations for 2024: A Comparative View

For fiscal year 2023-2024, OSHA has released its list of the top 10 violations, shedding light on areas where employers need to focus. Interestingly, 2024 saw a decrease in violations across several categories compared to previous years. Fall Protection violations, for example, decreased from 7,271 in 2023 to 6,307 in 2024, reflecting ongoing improvements in construction safety. Similarly, Ladders and Scaffolding violations also saw a notable decline, with Scaffolding dropping to the eighth position.

On the other hand, Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy) violations rose from the sixth spot in 2023 to fifth in 2024, underscoring the persistent challenges employers face in this area. Lockout/Tagout remains a major concern, especially in manufacturing, where non-compliance can have severe consequences.

1. Fall Protection - Construction (29 CFR 1926.501)

Fall Protection has consistently ranked as the top OSHA violation, particularly in the construction industry. This standard requires employers to provide adequate fall protection systems, such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, to prevent workers from falling off elevated work surfaces.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Conduct regular inspections to identify fall hazards.
• Equip workers with proper fall protection gear.
• Provide comprehensive training on the correct use and maintenance of fall protection systems.

 2. Hazard Communication - General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)

Hazard Communication is crucial in ensuring employees are aware of the chemical hazards they may encounter in the workplace. This standard mandate employer to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals, ensure proper labelling of containers, and provide thorough employee training on chemical safety.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Keep SDSs up-to-date.
• Properly label all chemical containers.
• Conduct regular employee training on hazard communication.
• SDS should be maintained in readily available, corrosion free boxes.

3 - Ladders - Construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)

Ladder violations remain a significant issue in the construction industry. Improper ladder use leads to numerous injuries each year. OSHA’s ladder standards provide guidelines on the correct use, placement, and maintenance of ladders to ensure worker safety.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Regularly inspect ladders for defects.
• Ensure ladders are used for their intended purpose.
• Provide training on safe ladder practices and avoid overloading.

4 - Respiratory Protection - General Industry (29 CFR 1910.134)

Respiratory protection is essential for workers exposed to airborne contaminants.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Conduct regular assessments of air quality.
• Select appropriate respirators and ensure fit testing.
• Provide training on respirator use and maintenance.

5 - Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) - General Industry (29 CFR 1910.147)

Despite continuous emphasis, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) violations continue to be a major issue, particularly in manufacturing. This standard is designed to prevent the accidental energization of machinery during maintenance, which can result in severe injuries or fatalities.

 Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Establish a comprehensive energy control program.
• Train employees on LOTO procedures.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance.

6 - Powered Industrial Trucks - General Industry (29 CFR 1910.178)

Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks pose significant safety risks if not operated properly. This standard mandates proper operator training and regular truck maintenance to prevent accidents.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Implement a robust training program for operators.
• Inspect trucks regularly.
• Ensure trucks are locked out when not in use.

 7 - Fall Protection Training - Construction (29 CFR 1926.503)

Training is critical to ensure workers can recognize fall hazards and use protection systems correctly.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Develop and deliver comprehensive fall protection training programs.
• Regularly update training materials.
• Provide refresher courses as necessary.

 8 - Scaffolding - Construction (29 CFR 1926.451)

Scaffolding violations reflect the significant risks associated with improper use and maintenance of scaffolds. OSHA’s scaffolding standards aim to prevent falls and scaffold collapse.

 Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Ensure scaffolds are erected, moved, and dismantled by trained personnel under qualified supervision.
• Use guardrails and fall protection systems.
• Regularly inspect scaffolds for potential issues.

 9 - Eye and Face Protection - Construction (29 CFR 1926.102)

Eye and face protection violations arise from inadequate protection against hazards such as flying debris and chemical splashes.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Conduct hazard assessments.
• Provide necessary PPE and enforce its use.

 10 - Machinery and Machine Guarding - General Industry (29 CFR 1910.212)

Inadequate guarding of machinery’s moving parts can lead to severe injuries. Employers must ensure proper guards are in place to protect workers.

Tips on How to Avoid This Violation:

• Equip all machinery with appropriate guards.
• Conduct regular inspections.
• Train employees on the importance of machine guarding.

Addressing OSHA Penalties

In response to continuous penalties and fines, OSHA has increased the fine - maximum penalty amounts, with the annual adjustment for inflation, after Jan 15, 2024.

• Serious/Other-Than-Serious/Posting Requirements: $16,131 per violation
• Failure to Abate: $16,131 per day beyond the abatement date
• Willful or Repeated: $161,323 per violation

Diving into the above violations, Fall Protection has remained OSHA’s #No.1 violation for a decade, With ladders and scaffolding leading the way in the construction industry. The control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout Tagout has remained in the top 10 violations for years, despite the constant push from industry professionals.

Addressing these top OSHA violations is crucial for creating safer work environments. Employers must stay vigilant and proactive in identifying hazards, implementing effective safety measures, and providing ongoing training to their workforce. By focusing on these key areas, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries and fatalities, ensuring compliance with OSHA standards and fostering a culture of safety.

How E-Square Can Help You

At E-Square Alliance, we go beyond offering Lockout Tagout (LOTO) products; we deliver holistic safety solutions to help you mitigate risks and ensure compliance with OSHA Lockout Tagout standard. Our services cover the full spectrum of hazardous energy control, providing everything you need to create a safer workplace.

• Tailored Training Programs: We offer customised, hands-on training that caters to the unique needs of your workforce and facility. Our programs cover everything related to LOTO procedures, ensuring that your employees are equipped with the knowledge and tools to maintain safety standards effectively.
• Comprehensive Audits and Inspections: Our expert team conducts detailed audits of your facility to identify potential hazards and compliance gaps. We provide actionable recommendations to help you address issues before they lead to violations or accidents.
• Procedure Documentation and Digital Solutions: We help you create and implement machine-specific LOTO procedures, ensuring that all energy sources are properly isolated during maintenance activities. With the latest digital solutions, such as QR code integration, your procedures are easily accessible and updatable.
• Complete Range of LOTO Safety Products: E-Square Alliance remains your one-stop shop for workplace LOTO safety equipment. Our products are designed to meet OSHA standards and are fully customisable to suit your specific needs.

Workplace safety is an ongoing commitment, and it doesn’t stop with compliance - it begins with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks. At E-Square Alliance, we’re driven by the mission to help companies control the hazardous energies at work that lead to preventable accidents, injuries, and fatalities.