OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations (FY 2025)
OSHA's most frequently cited standard for fiscal year 2025 was Fall Protection, General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501), followed by Hazard Communication, Ladders, Lockout/Tagout, and Respiratory Protection. OSHA publishes this list every year so employers can find and fix the hazards inspectors cite most before OSHA shows up. Most of the top 10 come down to a missing written program, missing training records, or an uncontrolled hazard the paperwork should have caught, which is why the same standards top the list year after year.
The top 10 for fiscal year 2025
| # | Standard | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall Protection, General Requirements (1926.501) | Protection at 6 ft: guardrails, arrest, covers |
| 2 | Hazard Communication (1910.1200) | Written HazCom program, SDS access, labeling |
| 3 | Ladders (1926.1053) | Ladder condition, setup, and use |
| 4 | Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) | Controlling hazardous energy during service |
| 5 | Respiratory Protection (1910.134) | Written program, fit testing, medical evaluation |
| 6 | Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) | Forklift operation and operator training |
| 7 | Eye and Face Protection (1926.102) | PPE for the eyes and face |
| 8 | Machine Guarding (1910.212) | Guarding moving parts |
| 9 | Fall Protection, Training (1926.503) | Training every worker exposed to falls |
| 10 | Scaffolding (1926.451) | Scaffold construction, use, and inspection |
What the list really tells you
Notice the pattern: four of the top 10 are about fall protection or the equipment used at height (falls general, ladders, fall protection training, scaffolding), and three are written-program failures (hazard communication, lockout/tagout, respiratory protection). These are not exotic hazards; they are the everyday parts of construction where a missing document or an untrained crew turns into a citation.
The fixable takeaway for a small contractor: most of the top 10 are prevented by having the right written programs, documented training, and a plan that names your hazards and controls. That is exactly what a GC or prequal reviewer checks, and exactly what OSHA asks for first.
Prevent the top 10 with the right documents
TailgateDocs generates the written safety program ($149) that carries your hazard communication, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, and fall protection sections, plus a site-specific safety plan ($49) that documents fall protection, ladders, and scaffolding for your project, all citing verified 29 CFR standards. See what a citation can cost with the free penalty calculator, and cover the Focus Four in your weekly toolbox talks.
Common questions
▸What is OSHA's most cited violation?
Fall Protection, General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501) has been OSHA's single most frequently cited standard for years running, including fiscal year 2025. Falls are also the leading cause of construction deaths.
▸When does OSHA release the top 10?
OSHA previews the preliminary top 10 each fall at the National Safety Council Congress and finalizes the numbers afterward. The list covers the federal fiscal year, October 1 through September 30.
▸How do I avoid these violations?
Have the written programs OSHA requires, document your training, and use a site-specific plan that names your hazards and controls. Most of the top 10 trace back to a missing program, missing training record, or an uncontrolled hazard the paperwork should have caught.
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