2024 Top 10 OSHA Violations

Every year, millions of workers put their lives on the line, but when safety regulations are ignored, the consequences can be catastrophic. In today’s post we will be going over the Top 10 OSHA Violations for 2024 while also providing a few tips on how to prevent these violations.

Number 10 – Machine Guarding: 1,541 violations.

In 2023, machine guarding was also at the number 10 spot with 1,644 violations. In 2024 machine guarding violations have gone down by 103 violations and remains at the number 10 spot. To prevent machine guarding violations:

• Perform risk assessments
• Install appropriate machine guards
• Do not remove any guards
• Provide or receive training
• And perform regular routine inspections

Number 9 – Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment, Eye and Face Protection: 1,814 violations.

In 2023, personal protective and lifesaving equipment, eye and face protection was also at the number 9 spot with 2,074 violations. In 2024, personal protective and lifesaving equipment, eye and face protection violations have gone down by 260 violations and remains at the number 9 spot. To prevent these violations:

• Conduct thorough hazard assessments to identify specific hazards that can cause eye or face injuries
• Select the proper personal protective equipment based on identified hazards
• Provide or receive training
• And perform regular inspections of PPE to check for damage or wear

Number 8 – Scaffolding: 1,873 violations.

In 2023, scaffolding took the 4th spot with 2,859 violations. In 2024, scaffolding violations has moved down the list to the 8th spot. Scaffolding violations have gone down by 986 violations. To prevent scaffolding violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Ensure the scaffold is properly designed and inspected
• Use high quality scaffolding materials
• And clearly communicate and enforce load limits for scaffolds

Number 7 – Fall Protection Training: 2,050 violations. 

In 2023, fall protection training took the 8th spot with 2,112 violations. In 2024, fall protection training has moved up the list to the 7th spot but has decreased in the amount of violations by 62 violations. To prevent fall protection training violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Provide or receive regular refresher training
• And provide or receive hands-on training

Number 6 – Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,248 violations.

In 2023, powered industrial trucks took the 5th spot with 2,561 violations. In 2024, powered industrial trucks dropped to the 6th spot and has decreased in the number of violations by 313 violations. To prevent powered industrial truck violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Ensure all operators are certified and qualified to operate the specific types of powered industrial trucks
• Perform regular inspections and maintenance routines
• And establish clear, safe operating procedures

Number 5 – Lockout/Tagout: 2,443 violations.

In 2023, lockout/tagout took the 6th spot with 2,554 violations. In 2024, lockout/tagout has moved up to the 5th spot but did decrease in the total amount of violations by 111 violations. To prevent lockout/tagout violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Develop, maintain, and follow written procedures
• Use appropriate lockout tagout devices
• And clearly define the roles of authorized and affected employees

Number 4 – Respiratory Protection: 2,470 violations. 

In 2023, respiratory protection was ranked at the 7th spot with a total of 2,481 violations. In 2024, respiratory protection jumped to the 4th spot, however, the total number of violations from 2023 to 2024 decreased by 11 violations. To prevent respiratory protection violations:

• Conduct hazard assessments
• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Undergo required fit tests
• Choose the appropriate respiratory protection based on specific hazards present
• And implement regular inspection and maintenance procedures

Number 3 – Ladders: 2,573 violations.

In 2023 ladders were also in the 3rd spot with a total of 2,978 violations. In 2024, ladders have remained in the 3rd spot but have decreased in the total number of violations by 405 violations. To prevent ladder violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Choose the right ladder for the job
• Conduct routine inspections
• And ensure ladders are set up on stable, level surfaces

Number 2 – Hazard Communication: 2,888 violations.

In 2023, hazard communication was also at the 2nd spot with 3,213 violations. In 2024, hazard communication remains in the 2nd spot, however, there was a decrease in the total amount of violations by 285 violations. To prevent hazard communication violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Ensure all hazardous chemicals are properly labeled
• And maintain an up-to-date collection of safety data sheets for all hazardous chemicals used in the workplace

Number 1 – Fall Protection: 6,307 violations.

Fall protection has ranked number 1 in the OSHA’s Top 10 Violations List for 14 consecutive fiscal years. In 2023, fall protection had 7,271 violations. In 2024, the total number of violations has decreased by 964 violations. To prevent fall protection violations:

• Provide or receive comprehensive training
• Conduct regular hazard assessments
• Select or provide the right fall protection equipment
• Implement a schedule for routine inspections
• And designate safety personnel

The OSHA Top 10 Violation list is crucial to employers who are aiming to improve their workplace safety and compliance with OSHA. This list informs employers what the most frequently cited violations are so employers can focus on these key areas and implementing proactive measures to reduce risks and create a safer working environment for their employees.