OSHA announces top 10 most cited workplace safety violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced its preliminary top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2021. The list was presented virtually at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo on Oct. 12.

Fall protection (OSHA standard No. 1926.501) remains at the top of the list for the 11th year in a row, followed by respiratory protection (1910.134) and ladders (1926.1053). Hazard communication, which spent the last several years at No. 2, moved to the fifth spot on this year's list.

"Throughout the pandemic, workplace safety has become more important than ever," National Safety Council (NSC) President and CEO Lorraine Martin says. "Although incredible advancements are made in safety each year, the OSHA top 10 list reminds us that we must continue to pinpoint areas where we can improve so we can better prioritize workplace safety in the future world of work."

The top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2021 are:

1. Fall protection—General requirements (1926.501): 5,295 violations
2. Respiratory protection (1910.134): 2,527 violations
3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,026 violations
4. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,948 violations
5. Hazard communication (1910.1200): 1,947 violations
6. Lockout/tagout (1910.147): 1,698 violations
7. Fall protection—Training requirements (1926.503): 1,666 violations
8. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment—Eye and face protection (1926.102): 1,452 violations
9. Powered industrial trucks (1910.178): 1,420 violations
10. Machine guarding (1910.212): 1,113 violations