OSHA Releases Top 10 Violations for 2025

OSHA recently announced its top 10 most frequently cited standards during the 2025 fiscal year using preliminary data. This information is valuable for all businesses as it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce. It also gives them the information they need to take proactive safety measures and plan their compliance programs.

For 2025, the top 10 most cited standards were as follows:

1. Fall protection - General requirements (1926.501): 5,914 total violations

2. Hazard communication (1910.1200): 2,546 total violations

3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,405 total violations

4. Control of Hazardous Energy - Lockout/tagout (1910.147): 2,177 total violations

5. Respiratory protection (1910.134): 1,953 total violations

6. Fall protection - Training requirements (1926.503): 1,907 violations

7. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,905 total violations

8. Powered industrial trucks (1910.178): 1,826 total violations

9. Personal protective and life-saving equipment—Eye and face protection (1926.102): 1,665 total violations

10. Machine guarding (1910.212): 1,239 total violations

Several standards changed positions from fiscal year 2024. For instance, “Respiratory protection” moved down from fourth to fifth, and “Scaffolding” violations moved up from eighth to seventh. “Fall protection - General requirements” remained OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the 15th consecutive fiscal year.

Each day, workers suffer preventable injuries, illnesses and deaths related to the hazards addressed in these standards. OSHA publishes this list to alert employers about these commonly cited standards so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards in these and other standards.

How Cottingham & Butler Can Help

At Cottingham & Butler, our risk management specialists work closely with clients to address OSHA compliance challenges and reduce workplace safety violations. We can conduct comprehensive safety assessments to identify potential hazards, develop customized training programs to ensure your team understands and follows proper safety protocols, and help you implement effective safety management systems. Our team also provides ongoing support with policy development, safety audits, and corrective action plans to help you maintain compliance and create a culture of workplace safety. Don't wait for an OSHA inspection to uncover issues - contact us today to learn how we can help protect your employees and your business.