Top 10 Most Cited Safety Violations and How to Avoid Them

Construction site safety isn't just about compliance — it's about protecting lives. Understanding common Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations can help builders prevent hazards before they arise. Each year, OSHA releases a list of the most cited safety violations. Here are the top 10, along with tips to help protect your workforce and avoid costly violations.

1. Fall Protection (1926.501)

Violations: 6,307

OSHA requires fall protection systems for workers exposed to falls of six feet or more. As the leading cause of construction deaths and the most cited violation for 14 consecutive years, fall protection demands rigorous attention.

Safety tips:

• Provide proper training.
• Use appropriate equipment, such as ladders, scaffolding and fall arrest systems.
• Install guardrails and safety nets.
• Regularly inspect fall protection equipment and the stability of surfaces.
• Review OSHA employer and employee fall prevention resources.

2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)

Violations: 2,888

This standard is violated when employers fail to inform and train workers about the hazardous chemicals they may encounter on the job site, including failing to maintain proper documentation and labeling.

Safety tips:

• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals on site.
• Label containers properly.
• Conduct regular training sessions on hazardous materials handling and storage.

3. Ladders (1926.1053)

Violations: 2,573

This standard covers general requirements for all ladders. Common issues include employees carrying objects on a ladder that could cause loss of balance and failing to tag damaged ladders with “Do Not Use” or similar language.

Safety tips:

• Use ladders only as intended.
• Confirm proper positioning and secure footing.
• Maintain three points of contact when climbing.
• Routinely check ladders for damage or wear.

4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)

Violations: 2,470

OSHA requires employers to implement a respiratory protection program to safeguard employees from harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors.

Safety tips:

• Provide appropriate respirators.
• Ensure proper fit testing.
• Keep a documented respiratory protection program that includes regular medical evaluations.

5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)

Violations: 2,443

This standard covers the minimum performance requirements for controlling hazardous energy during the servicing and maintenance of machinery and equipment.

Safety tips:

• Conduct thorough testing and appropriate positioning of equipment and machinery.
• Inspect work areas to eliminate unnecessary items and confirm the equipment is intact.
• Train employees about energy control procedures.

6. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)

Violations: 2,248

This section contains safety requirements relating to fire protection, design, maintenance and use of fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by motors or internal combustion engines.

Safety tips:

• Train operators according to OHSA requirements
• Perform routine equipment inspections and maintenance.
• Ensure the competency of operators.

7. Fall Protection, Training Requirements (1926.503)

Violations: 2,050

This standard, not to be confused with number one on this list, ensures workers receive proper training on fall hazards and fall protection systems, reducing the risk of serious injury or death.

Safety tips:

• Review OSHA’s Fall Prevention Training Guide.
• Conduct comprehensive training on fall hazards and protection systems.
• Document all training activities and ensure all workers are up-to-date.

8. Scaffolding (1926.451)

Violations: 1,873

Scaffolding must be designed by a qualified person and constructed and loaded according to that design. This OSHA regulation is crucial for employees working at heights exceeding 10 feet.

Safety tips:

• Install barriers along edges to prevent falls.
• Use guardrail supports on platforms.
• Restrict worker access to scaffolding areas.
• Pay attention to the weight capacity of scaffolding structures.

9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment, Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)

Violations: 1,814

Thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with proper eye and face protection. Workers exposed to chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants and hazards must use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safety tips:

• Provide task-appropriate PPE.
• Verify the correct fit and condition of PPE.
• Maintain strict enforcement of PPE requirements.

10. Machine Guarding (1910.212)

Violations: 1,541

This standard covers guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from hazards, including those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.

Safety tips:

• Anchor fixed machinery.
• Install tamper-resistant guards.
• Monitor all points of operation.

Taking action

The National Association of Homebuilders offers free safety resources, including the Jobsite Safety mobile app and the Video Toolbox Talks series. Combined with regular training and vigilant oversight, these tools can help create a safer work environment for everyone on your job sites.