OSHA Announces Top 10 Violations for 2025: What Employers Need to Know
Updated: October 13, 2025
Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes its most frequently cited standards. The list helps employers spot common exposures, strengthen safety programs, and reduce the risk of fines and injuries.
OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2025
- Fall protection — General requirements (1926.501): 5,914 violations
- Hazard communication (1910.1200): 2,546 violations
- Ladders (1926.1053): 2,405 violations
- Control of hazardous energy — Lockout/tagout (1910.147): 2,177 violations
- Respiratory protection (1910.134): 1,953 violations
- Fall protection — Training requirements (1926.503): 1,907 violations
- Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,905 violations
- Powered industrial trucks (1910.178): 1,826 violations
- Eye and face protection (1926.102): 1,665 violations
- Machine guarding (1910.212): 1,239 violations
Key Takeaways for Employers
- Prevent falls. Fall protection has led the list for 15 straight years, which signals a continued need for planning, guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, and documented oversight.
- Train and inform. Hazard communication and fall protection training both appear in the top 10. Keep written programs current, label containers, maintain SDS access, and verify training records.
- Control energy sources. Lockout/tagout remains a frequent citation. Confirm machine-specific procedures, device availability, and annual audits.
- Maintain equipment. Ladders, scaffolds, forklifts, and machine guards need routine inspection, repairs, and operator training.
- Protect breathing, eyes, and face. Conduct hazard assessments, fit test where required, and supply appropriate PPE.
Action Steps
- Conduct a walk-through to identify fall hazards, machine guarding gaps, and housekeeping issues.
- Review written programs for hazard communication, respiratory protection, and lockout/tagout.
- Verify that employee training is current and documented. Retrain after changes in tasks or equipment.
- Schedule formal inspections for ladders, scaffolds, and powered industrial trucks. Remove defective equipment from service.
- Confirm PPE selection, availability, and use. Replace damaged or expired items.
How Marshfield Insurance Can Help
We help employers manage risk through coverage reviews, loss control resources, and safety program support. If you would like a checklist tailored to your operations or help prioritizing improvements, our team is ready to assist.
Note: OSHA’s figures above are based on preliminary data and may change as the agency finalizes its reports. This article provides general information and is not legal advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fall protection citations remain so high?
Falls are a leading cause of serious injuries. Many incidents involve missing guardrails, improper anchor points, or a lack of training and supervision.
What documents should we have ready for an OSHA inspection?
Written programs, training records, equipment inspection logs, injury and illness records, and proof of corrective actions.
How often should we audit lockout/tagout procedures?
At least annually. Update procedures after equipment changes and verify that authorized employees can perform them correctly.