Denver — Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the 15th consecutive fiscal year, the agency announced Tuesday during the 2025 NSC Safety Congress & Expo.
Eric Harbin, regional administrator for OSHA’s Dallas Region, presented the preliminary list, which reflects OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1, 2024, to Aug. 12. Safety+Health Associate Editor Kevin Druley moderated the session.
The standards that make up the remainder of the Top 10 remained unchanged from FY 2024, with some movement within their ranking. Lockout/Tagout, which ranked fifth in FY 2024, moved to No. 4, switching places with Respiratory Protection. Fall Protection – Training Requirements and Scaffolding each climbed one spot – to sixth and seventh, respectively, while Powered Industrial Trucks dropped two spots to No. 8.
The full list:
- Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,914 violations
- Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,546
- Ladders (1926.1053): 2,405
- Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,177
- Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 1,953
- Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,907
- Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,905
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,826
- Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,665
- Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,239
“While progress has been made, the consistency in citation rankings year after year signals that yesterday’s hazards are still today’s vulnerabilities,” National Safety Council CEO Lorraine M. Martin said. “Employers, safety professionals and communities must intensify efforts through robust training, regular hazard assessments and leadership accountability to protect workers and save lives.”
Check out the December issue of S+H for finalized data, along with additional details and exclusive content.
