OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Violations of 2025

Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases data on the most frequently cited workplace safety violations. These findings are more than just numbers. They highlight the persistent risks facing workers across industries and signal where employers must focus their prevention efforts.

For fiscal year 2025, the preliminary list of OSHA’s Top 10 safety violations shows familiar trends, with fall protection leading the way yet again. Here’s the breakdown:

OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations, FY 2025

1. Fall Protection – 5,914 citations
   Failure to provide adequate fall protection remains the number one violation. The majority of citations occur in construction, where unprotected edges, improper use of guardrails, and unsafe scaffolding practices put workers at serious risk. Our Fact Sheet discusses how to prevent slips, trips and falls.
2. Hazard Communication – 2,546 citations
   Employers were cited for lacking written hazard communication programs, failing to train employees, or not properly labeling containers of hazardous chemicals. This gap directly impacts worker awareness and safety in manufacturing, healthcare, and chemical industries.
3. Ladders – 2,405 citations
   Misuse of ladders and failure to meet ladder safety standards continue to drive incidents, especially in construction and maintenance.
4. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) – 2,177 citations
   OSHA repeatedly finds employers not following proper lockout/tagout procedures, exposing workers to dangerous releases of energy during equipment servicing.
5. Respiratory Protection – 1,953 citations
   Employers were cited for not implementing respiratory protection programs or failing to ensure fit testing and training, particularly in sectors with dust, fumes, or airborne hazards.
6. Fall Protection Training Requirements – 1,907 citations
   Beyond physical safeguards, employers are failing to provide adequate fall protection training to workers, a critical part of compliance and prevention.
7. Scaffolding – 1,905 citations
   Unsafe scaffold construction, lack of guardrails, and improper access methods continue to put workers at risk of falls and serious injury.
8. Powered Industrial Trucks – 1,826 citations
   Forklift and powered truck violations typically stem from insufficient operator training and failure to maintain equipment.
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment (Eye and Face Protection) – 1,665 citations
   Many citations involved employees not being provided with—or not using—required PPE for tasks that carry exposure risks.
10. Machine Guarding – 1,239 citations
    Missing or inadequate machine guards expose workers to preventable contact with moving parts, one of the most serious industrial hazards.

When presenting at NSC’s 2025 Safety Congress and Expo, Eric Harbin, OSHA Regional Administrator in Dallas, noted the list was based on Aug. 12 data, with an update expected before the end of OSHA’s Oct. 1-to-Sept. 30 fiscal year.

Why These Violations Persist

Despite ongoing training efforts and clear regulatory standards, these violations remain OSHA’s “top 10” year after year. The reasons include:

• Reactive safety practices instead of proactive prevention
• Insufficient training programs that don’t reach all workers
• Gaps in communication between leadership, supervisors, and frontline employees
• Resource constraints in industries facing labor shortages and tight budgets

Harbin emphasized that many violations stem from small businesses struggling with limited resources and inconsistent compliance practices. To address this, OSHA is prioritizing efforts to connect these employers with free state-run consultation programs. The goal is to help smaller organizations strengthen their safety practices and close compliance gaps without the burden of added costs.

Practical Steps Employers Can Take

Avoiding OSHA citations requires more than compliance—it takes a culture of safety and preventive care. Employers should:

• Conduct regular safety audits to identify hazards before OSHA does
• Invest in worker training and retraining to keep safety protocols top of mind
• Improve communication programs to ensure all workers understand risks and responsibilities
• Leverage occupational health partners to strengthen prevention, training, and compliance strategies

How WorkCare Helps Prevent OSHA Violations

At WorkCare, we help employers move beyond compliance toward total worker health. From injury prevention and ergonomics to safety training and occupational health support, our services are designed to address the very issues OSHA highlights in its annual report.

WorkCare provides a key advantage for employers. With the right support, you not only reduce your risk of violations but also protect your workforce, minimize downtime, and build a stronger safety culture.

DOWNLOAD OUR OSHA 2026 COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Final Takeaway for Employers

The 2025 OSHA Top 10 safety violations are a reminder that risks remain constant, but they are also preventable. Employers who invest in proactive safety programs and occupational health support will see fewer citations, lower costs, and healthier employees.

Looking to reduce workplace risks and strengthen compliance? Contact WorkCare to learn how our Injury Prevention and Occupational Health programs can help your organization stay ahead of OSHA’s top 10.