OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations of 2026
Fall is here. It’s time for Pumpkin Spice Latte commercials on heavy rotation. It’s also time for the unveiling of the OSHA Top 10 at NSC’s Safety Congress.
Fall protection kept its firm hold on the top spot as it has for the past 15 years. Scaffolding jumped from seventh to fourth and lockout/tagout climbed from fourth to third — both moved up not because violations increased, but because their citation counts fell more slowly than the others. Total citations across the top 10 dropped by nearly 25% year over year, from 23,537 to 17,701, but that’s worth reading with a caveat: fewer citations often tracks with fewer inspections, not necessarily safer worksites.
Let’s Take a Look at OSHA’s Top 3 Violations
#1. Fall Protection
It is not surprising that fall protection remained number one, with 4,041 total violations. Fall protection, or the lack of it, remains a problem at many job sites. It has been the most cited regulation for 15 straight years. In 2024, there were 844 fatal falls in the US, and they continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Many employers simply fail to protect workers from falls, whether from a rooftop, a scaffold, or a ladder. Employers also do a poor job training workers to prevent falls. Fall prevention training ranked eighth on OSHA’s list.
Learn how to keep your workers safe and comply with OSHA’s fall protection and training standards.
#2. Hazard Communication
Chemicals are the leading cause of injury in the 2024 data, causing roughly one worker death each week. HCS violations usually happen because of the complexity and paperwork involved in compliance. Organizations may fail to label their chemical containers properly, leave certain substances off of their chemical inventory lists, neglect to obtain SDS from manufacturers, or some combination of the above. Roofing contractors get hit with this one often, as they often use a variety of substances and overlook bringing the sds on site, or obtaining it in the first place (a problem easily solved with mobile SDS management available on all your workers’ phones.)
NSC shared a great quote, “The standard workers know least is the one the meet every shift – every label, SDS, and training gap is a chemical exposure waiting to happen.”
Learn more about the Hazard Communication Standard
#3. Lockout/Tagout
Many companies already have LOTO procedures, but if it’s not a focus, it can quickly fall by the wayside. OSHA noted that they often find a lack of training for authorized employees and confusion about who qualifies as an authorized employee. Sadly, this comes at a cost. Being struck by powered equipment during maintenance, cleaning, or testing caused 44 deaths in 2024. While exposure to electricity caused 130.
Another poignant quote from NSC, “LOTO is the standard whose absence shows up in the coroner’s report.”
Learn more about Lockout/Tagout
How to Avoid the OSHA’s Top 10 and Other Citations
Do any of the regulations on the list apply to your workplace? If so, you should thoroughly review the standards and ensure you are complying with all employer requirements. Be prepared in case OSHA knocks on your door.
There are several steps your company can take to both avoid OSHA fines and prevent worker injuries, illnesses and deaths. Developing and enforcing a comprehensive safety program is your key to success.
Your safety program should include:
You Don’t Have to Manage Your OSHA Requirements Alone
Have questions? Looking for more detailed OSHA compliance guidance?
Novara is here to help.
To truly protect your workforce and bottom line, you’ll need in-depth information—and not just about OSHA’s top 10, but every potential hazard that exists in your organization. You’ll also need to conduct a thorough evaluation of your facilities to identify current gaps and risk areas.
Novara’s unique combination of software and training can provide the coverage your people and your organization need.
