Each year, OSHA unveils its top 10 most frequently cited standards for the fiscal year and this year was no exception.

In November 2023, OSHA unveiled the most frequently cited standards for the year, which accounts for violations cited between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 29, 2023. More finalized numbers will be released at a later date in 2024, but here are the frequently cited standards that have been released.

1. Fall Protection: This was the top cited standard in 2023 with 7,217 violations – the 13^th year it has topped the list. The OSHA standard outlines where fall protection is required, appropriate systems, property construction and safety of systems and supervision of employees to prevent falls.
2. Hazard Communication: Coming in at No. 2 with 3,213 violations is Hazard Communication. This standard is for chemical hazards, both those produced in the workplace and those brought into the workplace. The violations cited in this section include not having a written hazard communication program and labeling violations, among other things.
3. Ladders: This standard, with 2,978 violations, covers all requirements for ladders and citations for this include not using ladders for their proper purpose, using the top of a ladder as a step and ladders with structural defects.
4. Scaffolding: The standards for scaffolding – with 2,859 violations – covers safety requirements to prevent falls and falling objects. The citations include violations such as improper heights, inadequate planking and guardrail systems that don’t meet requirements.
5. Powered Industrial Trucks: With 2,561 totally violations, this standard includes the design, maintenance and operation of powered industrial trucks like forklifts – as well as training requirements. Violations include improper certification and a lack of maintenance.
6. Lockout/tagout: With 2,554 violations, this standard outlines performance requirements of the control of hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. The violations were for things like procedures, training and inspection.
7. Respiratory protection: Coming in with 2,481 violations, this standard has requirements for procedures, equipment selection, training and fit testing. The violations include a lack of fit testing, and not having a written respiratory protection program in place.
8. Fall Protection – training requirements: With 2,112 violations, this standard addresses training requirements for fall protection and violations include a lack of training for employees exposed to fall hazards and verification of said training.
9. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment – eye and face protection: There were 2,074 violations this year for this standard, which includes providing adequate protection equipment to workers exposed to hazards such as flying particles and chemical gases or vapors. The violations include failing to provide adequate protection and making sure the devices comply with standards.
10. Machine guarding: Coming in at No. 10 is machine guarding, with 1,644 violations. This standard covers guarding the machinery to prevent employees facing hazards from nip points and rotating parts, among other things.

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