Every year OSHA publishes its list of the most frequently cited standards. Falls, scaffolding, and hazard communication top the list — here's what your company needs to know to stay compliant and protect your crew.
Each year, OSHA releases its list of the most frequently cited standards in construction. The same violations appear year after year — which means they're preventable. Understanding where companies fail is the first step to making sure yours doesn't.
The Top 10 Most Cited Construction Violations
- 11926.501 — Fall Protection (General Requirements)
- 21926.1053 — Ladders
- 31926.503 — Fall Protection Training Requirements
- 41926.451 — Scaffolding
- 51926.20 — General Safety & Health Provisions
- 61926.1052 — Stairways
- 71926.405 — Electrical — Wiring Methods
- 81926.102 — Eye and Face Protection
- 91926.100 — Head Protection
- 101910.147 — Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
Fall Protection: The #1 Killer in Construction
Falls consistently top the list — and they consistently kill more workers than any other hazard. OSHA's 1926.501 requires fall protection at heights of 6 feet or more in construction. That means guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or safety nets — not just verbal warnings or hoping your crew is careful.
Tip: Quick Win: Conduct a daily "fall hazard walk" before work starts. Identify every leading edge, floor opening, and roof access point. Assign ownership of each hazard to a specific foreman.
Scaffolding: Where Shortcuts Get People Killed
Scaffold violations (1926.451) are almost always the result of rushed setup. Planking gaps, missing guardrails, uneven footing, and overloading are the most common issues. A competent person must inspect scaffolding before each work shift — and that person needs to be actually competent, not just whoever's available.
Hazard Communication: The Paperwork People Skip
HazCom violations often stem from missing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or workers who haven't been trained on the chemicals they're using. Every product needs an SDS on site, and workers need to know where to find it and how to read it. This is especially critical for bilingual crews.
If OSHA visits your site and finds any of these top-10 violations, expect a serious citation. Penalties start at $16,550 per violation and can reach $165,514 for willful or repeat violations. STKY can help you build systems to prevent citations before they happen — and represent you if they do.
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