10 Most Cited OSHA Violations of 2024 Revealed

OSHA recently revealed its list of the 10 health and safety Standards employers received citations for violating most commonly in FY 2024. Regulators unveiled the annual Ten Most Cited list at the National Safety Council (NSC) Conference & Expo in September. 

As has been the case since 2018, OSHA Standards for general industry (29 CFR Part 1910) workplaces make up half of the Top 10 list for this fiscal year. Construction industry standards (Part 1926) make up the other half. 

Fall protection violations in construction led the pack by a wide margin again in 2024, with OSHA issuing over 6,000 for violations of the rules for providing fall protection equipment and ensuring its proper use and maintenance. 

The 2^nd most cited Standard in 2024, and the most cited for general industry, was Hazard Communication. 

The "HazCom" Standard (HCS) at 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires employers to inform and train employees about dangerous chemicals in the workplace, properly label containers, make safety data sheets available, and more. 

For all ten of the 10 Most Cited Standards this year, the preliminary data shows that OSHA inspectors issued fewer citations than they did in 2023.  

Past “Top 10” Lists: 

10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2023
10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2022
10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2021

5 Most Cited General Industry Standards (Fiscal Year 2024)

1: Hazard Communication 2,888 citations

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires employers to provide workers with training and information about hazardous chemicals in their workplace. From toxic gases to cleaning products, chemical hazards must be communicated to employees using written HazCom programs, hazard labels/warnings, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and training.

2: Respiratory Protection 2,470 citations 

Employers must complete medical evaluations and perform fit testing for employees who are required to wear respirators. These steps ensure that the employee can safely wear the respirator while working and that the respirator will function properly. 

Training on proper respirator use and maintenance is also required. Like many of the other standards on this list, adequate employee training is a common reason that OSHA cites employers for noncompliance.

3: Lockout/Tagout or Control of Hazardous Energy 2,433 citations

The unexpected release of hazardous energy during machinery use, maintenance, and servicing can result in severe injuries, amputations, and death.

Failure to train employees on proper lockout/tagout procedures is one of the most common reasons OSHA issues citations—and why LOTO is a mainstay on the annual Most Cited Violations list.

4: Forklifts/Powered Industrial Trucks 2,248 citations

Typically, the most common reasons employers are cited for noncompliance with the forklift Standard is failing to properly train, certify, and re-certify forklift drivers.

5: Machine Guarding 1,541 citations

OSHA requires employers to identify workplace machinery that can cause injury to an employee. Machine injuries can occur at the point of operation, from rotating and/or moving parts, or from flying chips or sparks. Employers in manufacturing industry sectors see the largest number of citations for violations of machine guarding requirements by far.

5 Most Cited Construction Standards for FY 2024

Fall protection violations in the construction industry topped the 10 Most Cited List once again in FY 2024. OSHA issued citations for approximately 15% fewer violations combined in these categories compared to FY 2023 (17,294 → 14,617).

The five most cited violations for construction employers in FY 2024 were:

1. Fall Protection (6,307 violations)
2. Ladders (2,573 violations)
3. Fall Protection Training (2,050 violations)
4. Scaffolding (1,873 violations)
5. PPE: Eye and Face Protection (1,814 violations)

OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited This Century

Watch as OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations list evolves over 20+ years. The visualization below uses historic "OSHA Top 10" data collected from industry publications and news archives.

This animated chart race adds up the total number of citations as reported by OSHA for each Standard listed among the 10 Most Cited in each year from 2002 through 2024.

OSHA Penalties and Enforcement

By law, civil penalties for OSHA violations increase with inflation annually. In January 2024, OSHA increased the maximum civil penalty for a willful or repeat violation from $156,259 to $161,323, and a similar increase will occur in just a few months.

Online Training to Prevent OSHA Violations in 2025

Check out Lion.com/OSHA to find safety training to inform and protect your workforce. From 10-hour training for general industry workers to HazCom, HAZWOPER, and more.

Lion offers online safety training that is informative and easy-to-use, and addresses many of the top 10 most cited OSHA Standards, including:

Hazard Communication
Respiratory Protection
Forklift Safety
Lockout/Tagout

View more online safety training options at Lion.com/OSHA.

Tags: fall protection, hazard communication, osha, OSHA compliance, OSHA Top 10