Each year, OSHA compiles a list of the 10 most cited standard violations from the previous fiscal year. The 2022 report shows some slight changes from 2021. Hazard Communication moved to the No. 2 spot, and OSHA added Eye and Face Protection to the top 10 list. For the 12th year in a row, Fall Protection has been at the top of the OSHA most cited violations list.
OSHA publishes this list to remind employers of the importance of safety and alert them of commonly cited standards, allowing them to pinpoint areas that need improvement.
Top 10 OSHA Violations for 2022
Below are the top 10 most frequently cited violations of 2022, along with resources to help you take the necessary steps to find and fix hazards in your workplace.
| Standard Violation | Number of Violations | Prevention Resources |
|---|---|---|
Fall Protection General Requirements | 5,260 |
|
Hazard Communication | 2,424 |
|
Respiratory Protection | 2,185 |
|
Ladders | 2,143 |
|
Scaffolding | 2,058 |
|
Lockout/Tagout | 1,977 |
|
Powered Industrial Trucks | 1,749 |
|
Fall Protection Training | 1,556 |
|
Eye and Face Protection | 1,401 |
|
Machine Guarding | 1,370 |
|
How to Avoid OSHA Citations
To avoid OSHA fines and prevent worker injuries, it’s critical to develop and enforce a safety program. You may even want to consider implementing a safety committee. Raising awareness on common workplace violations can help workers identify hazards within their own workplaces.
Here are two best practices that can help minimize or eliminate workplace hazards, reduce the risk of citations and ensure that your employees don’t end up on the wrong side of the statistics.
- Conduct an in-person slip and fall prevention assessment—Slips and falls are the leading causes of workplace injuries. EMC offers in-person slip and fall risk assessments to help you identify hazards and offer practical solutions.
- Complete OSHA-certified Training—To understand OSHA requirements for hazards present in your workplace, we recommend training on topics related to your specific safety needs. Find answers to questions about OSHA outreach courses in this FAQ and general details in this program overview.