Top 5 OSHA Violations in 2023 and How to Avoid Them in 2025

Every year, OSHA releases a list of its most cited workplace safety violations, and 2023 was no different. For safety professionals, business owners, and operations managers, staying ahead of these common pitfalls is more than the best practice, it’s a business imperative. Violations not only bring financial penalties but also jeopardize the health and safety of your workforce.

By examining the latest data and insights from OSHA and key safety experts, we’ll break down the most cited violations and provide actionable steps you can take to stay compliant. If you want to protect your people, your profits, and your reputation, this list is your starting point.

The top 5 OSHA violations in 2023 are: fall protection, hazard communication, ladders, scaffolding, and lockout/tagout. Avoiding them requires regular training, proper equipment, thorough documentation, and proactive safety audits.

OSHA violations can cost businesses tens of thousands of dollars per citation, not to mention the human toll of workplace injuries. Fortunately, many of these violations are preventable. By understanding the common pitfalls and building a culture of safety, you not only reduce your risk of enforcement but also boost employee morale and productivity. Let’s look closer at each of these high-risk areas.

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501)

What the Regulation Says:
“Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.” 29 CFR § 1926.501(b)(1)

Still the leading citation, fall protection violations accounted for thousands of OSHA citations in 2025. Most involve unprotected edges, open sides, or improper guardrail systems in construction and general industry.

Avoid It:

Use proper personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).

Conduct regular inspections of anchor points and harnesses.

Train employees on safe practices at heights (OSHA, 2024).

2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)

What the Regulation Says:
“Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program… Employers shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals is labeled, tagged or marked… and maintain safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical.” 29 CFR § 1910.1200(e)(1), (f), and (g)

Mishandling of hazardous chemicals continues to plague businesses. Missing labels, outdated Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and poor training are key contributors.

Avoid It:

Maintain a complete and up-to-date chemical inventory.

Ensure all containers are properly labeled.

Train workers annually and whenever new hazards are introduced (Mujtaba, 2023).

3. Ladders (1926.1053)

What the Regulation Says:
“Ladders shall be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards. Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed. Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.” 29 CFR § 1926.1053(b)(1), (4), and (6)

Improper ladder use is a persistent issue, especially in construction. Citations often stem from ladders that are too short, used incorrectly, or not secured.

Avoid It:

Choose the right ladder for the job and inspect before use.

Educate workers on the three-point contact rule.

Never exceed a ladder’s load rating (OSHA, 2024).

4. Scaffolding (1926.451)

What the Regulation Says:
“Each scaffold and scaffold component shall be capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load… Guardrails must be installed on open sides and ends of platforms.” 29 CFR § 1926.451(a)(1) and (g)(1)

Scaffolding violations include inadequate planking, lack of guardrails, and poor foundation support—leading causes of serious falls.

Avoid It:

Use qualified personnel to design and inspect scaffold setups.

Install proper fall protection and access systems.

Train workers on scaffold safety procedures (Mujtaba, 2023).

5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)

What the Regulation Says:
“The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections… to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance… the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.” 29 CFR § 1910.147(c)(1) and (d)

Failure to control hazardous energy sources leads to serious injuries or fatalities. Lockout/tagout procedures are often incomplete or improperly followed.

Avoid It:

Develop detailed, equipment-specific lockout procedures.

Train authorized and affected employees.

Conduct periodic audits to verify compliance (OSHA, 2024; Breach of Faith, 2006).

Build a Culture, Not Just a Checklist

Avoiding OSHA violations isn’t just about checking boxes, it’s about embedding safety into the organizational culture through leadership, proactive systems, and employee involvement. A compliance-only mindset may address surface-level issues, but it rarely produces sustained results. Building a true safety culture requires deeper organizational commitment.

Leadership plays a vital role in cultivating this mindset. As Mujtaba (2023) emphasizes, ethical leaders set the tone for the entire workplace, reinforcing core values like accountability, integrity, and transparency. When leaders model safety-first behavior, it encourages employees at all levels to do the same. Moreover, empowering supervisors and front-line leaders to take ownership of safety promotes decentralized decision-making and faster hazard resolution.

Organizations that succeed in reducing OSHA violations also utilize leading indicators such as near-miss reports, safety observations, and behavior-based safety checklists. These metrics go beyond lagging indicators like injury rates, allowing safety professionals to anticipate problems before they escalate (Baker, 2006). According to Baker (2006), relying solely on outcome-based compliance systems ignores the importance of process-oriented controls and worker participation.

Active safety committees are another powerful tool. They provide a structured way to gather input from employees, conduct safety walkthroughs, and recommend policy changes. When committee members represent multiple departments, they help break down silos and build cross-functional accountability (Mujtaba, 2023).

Ongoing education is critical to sustaining momentum. Training shouldn’t be a one-and-done activity. Instead, it should be continuous, dynamic, and tailored to evolving hazards and regulations. OSHA encourages refresher training and documentation of learning outcomes to ensure knowledge retention and effective application in the field (OSHA, 2024).

When safety becomes part of the organizational DNA, woven into processes, expectations, and values, compliance becomes a byproduct of doing the right thing. This cultural shift not only reduces the likelihood of violations and penalties but also fosters higher morale, improved productivity, and stronger employee retention.

Conclusion

The top 5 OSHA violations in 2024 serve as a critical reminder: safety isn’t optional—it’s foundational. From fall protection to lockout/tagout, these hazards remain persistent because they’re often underestimated or overlooked in fast-paced environments. But with the right mindset, leadership, and training, they’re also completely preventable.

Now is the time to evaluate your safety systems, empower your workforce, and invest in prevention. By doing so, you not only protect lives but also demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and operational excellence. Stay proactive, stay compliant—and lead the way in making safety a core value, not just a checkbox.

Because in the end, a safer workplace isn’t just better for OSHA—it’s better for everyone.

References

Baker, T. (2006). Breach of Faith: The Special Problem of OSHA Performance Standard.  https://scholarship.law.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2152&context=scholar

Mujtaba, B. G. (2023). Organizational Ethics and Social Responsibility.  https://armgpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hem_1_2_Bahaudin-G.-Mujtaba-2.pdf

Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA]. (2024). Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. https://www.osha.gov/top10

Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA]. (n.d.). Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501). https://www.osha.gov/fall-protection