What are the most cited OSHA violations from 2019?

The top 10 most cited OSHA violations in 2019 include: fall protection (construction), hazard communication, scaffolding, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), respiratory protection, ladders, powered industrial trucks, fall protection training, machine guarding, and eye and face protection.

Which standard was most frequently cited in 2019?

The most frequently cited standard in 2019 was fall protection in construction (29 CFR 1926.501).

Why is hazard communication (HazCom) among top citations?

Hazard communication is commonly cited because many businesses fail to maintain accurate SDSs, proper labeling, or worker training, which are fundamental OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1910.1200.

What is the significance of control of hazardous energy violations?

Control of hazardous energy violations (lockout/tagout under 29 CFR 1910.147) reflect failures in de‑energizing machinery or proper procedures to protect workers from unexpected energization.

Are ladder violations still common?

Yes. Ladder-related violations were ranked among the top OSHA citations in 2019, commonly due to improper use, lack of maintenance, or insufficient training.

How often are powered industrial trucks cited?

Powered industrial trucks (like forklifts, under 29 CFR 1910.178) are frequently cited—failures often involve operator training, inspections, or maintenance issues.

Do machine guarding violations pose serious risks?

Yes. Machine guarding violations (29 CFR 1910.212) can lead to amputations, crushed limbs, or entanglement—hence OSHA cites them regularly.

Why are eye and face protection violations high up on the list?

Eye and face protection violations (29 CFR 1926.102) are common because many sites lack or poorly enforce use of safety goggles or face shields when needed.

What can organizations do to reduce citations?

To reduce OSHA citations, organizations should conduct regular safety audits, ensure up-to-date SDS programs, train workers, maintain equipment, and use checklists targeting each of the top ten citation areas.

Where can I see the full list of top 10 violations with standards?

You can view the full list, including the applicable OSHA standards for the top 10 most cited violations in 2019, on the KHA website in the blog post “Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2019.”

OSHA

Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2019

September 2, 2020
Jason Ries

The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA in fiscal year 2019 (October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019):

Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
Fall Protection–Training Requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)
Machinery and Machine Guarding, general requirements (29 CFR 1910.212)
Eye and Face Protection (29 CFR 1926.102)

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Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Violations in 2019

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