OSHA’s TOP 10 VIOLATIONS LIST FOR 2025

What Employers Need to Know

What Hazards are the Hardest to Prevent

Creating a safe workplace takes an ongoing effort that includes employee training, written program updates, safety meetings, and inspections. Even so, many employers are surprised to learn they still fall short in key compliance areas.

OSHA’s most frequently cited safety violations highlight where workplaces commonly struggle, and where injuries, fatalities, lost time, and costly citations are most likely to occur.

Below is an overview of OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Safety Violations, based on OSHA enforcement data. While rankings shift slightly year to year, these same standards consistently appear and should be a priority for every employer.

OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Safety Violations

  1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)
  2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
  3. Ladders (1926.1053)
  4. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (1910.147)
  5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
  6. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)
  7. Scaffolding (1926.451)
  8. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
  9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)
  10. Machine Guarding (1910.212)

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For the 15th consecutive year, Fall Protection – General Requirements takes the number one spot.

When we take a close look at OSHA’s Top 10, four of the ten are directly related to falls. This tells us one thing loud and clear: preventing falls remains a critical challenge in every industry. Year after year, workers are still being put at risk. Whether it’s proper equipment, better training, or stronger enforcement, fall protection must remain a top priority.

Get SAFER today! Contact Lancaster Safety at 888-403-6026 for fall protection training.

Why OSHA’s Top 10 Violations Matter

These standards appear on OSHA’s Top 10 list year after year because they represent systemic gaps in workplace safety programs. Addressing them proactively can help:

  • Reduce injuries and fatalities
  • Prevent lost-time incidents
  • Avoid costly OSHA citations and penalties
  • Improve overall safety culture

How to Use the OSHA Top 10 to Improve Compliance

Instead of viewing this list as enforcement data alone, use it as a self-audit tool:

  • Review the written safety programs for these standards
  • Verify employee training and documentation
  • Inspect job sites and equipment for compliance gaps
  • Correct hazards before an OSHA inspection occurs

Need OSHA Compliance Help?

Contact us at 888-403-6026 to build a safer workplace today!