Every year, OSHA publishes a list of the most frequently cited safety standards. It gives us a clear look at where employers are falling short and where workers are getting hurt. According to the latest data released by Safety and Health Magazine, Fall Protection, General Requirements, is once again the most cited standard for 2025 with 5,914 violations.
(Source: Safety and Health Magazine)
But it is not just falls. Hazardous chemicals, ladders, machine guarding, scaffolding, and respiratory protection continue to show up in thousands of inspections across the country. That tells me something important. Many organizations care about safety, but the day to day execution is where things break down.
At DSP Insurance, we believe being proactive about safety is the best way to protect people and protect your business. When things go wrong, the consequences can be severe. Injuries, fines, lost productivity, and long term reputation damage can all happen at once. A strong safety program helps prevent all of that.
Based on the 2025 preliminary data published by Safety and Health Magazine, here are the top cited OSHA standards and why they matter.
(Full source: Safety and Health Magazine)
Fall Protection, General Requirements (1926.501)
This involves missing guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems when employees are six feet or more above lower levels. It remains the most cited standard year after year.
Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
Many employers lack a written hazard communication program, do not maintain updated Safety Data Sheets, or fail to train employees on chemical hazards.
Ladders (1926.1053)
Violations include damaged ladders, improper ladder use, or not extending side rails fully. These behaviors lead to preventable falls.
Lockout or Tagout, Control of Hazardous Energy (1910.147)
Companies often fail to lock out equipment before maintenance, do not follow written procedures, or skip required training and inspections.
Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
Many workplaces do not have a written program, do not provide medical evaluations or fit testing, and do not maintain respirators properly.
Fall Protection, Training Requirements (1926.503)
Workers at heights are often undertrained or have not been retrained when new equipment or conditions require it.
Scaffolding (1926.451)
Missing guardrails, incomplete planking, unstable setups, and improper access remain common problems.
Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
OSHA continues to cite operators who are not trained or certified, equipment that is not maintained, and unsafe driving practices.
Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)
Workers remain exposed to flying particles or chemicals without proper protective equipment or enforcement.
Machine Guarding (1910.212)
Unguarded moving parts continue to cause crush injuries, cuts, and amputations.
I have always believed that safety is not just about compliance. It is about showing respect for your people and creating a culture where everyone can work with confidence. When I look at OSHA’s Top 10, the same message shows up again and again. Most of these problems come down to training, planning, and communication.
Here is how I approach these issues in the field.
Training is essential.
Most violations are not caused by missing equipment. They happen because someone was not trained or did not understand the hazard.
Safety should be planned, not improvised.
The safest companies plan ahead with guardrails, labels, written procedures, and proper setups.
Culture is everything.
When people look out for each other and follow procedures, injury rates drop and morale rises.
Compliance protects your business.
OSHA penalties increase over time. Staying compliant protects your workers and your bottom line.
Our Safety Services team helps companies build safer job sites and safer workplaces by providing practical guidance and hands on support. Our work includes:
Reviewing job sites for hazards for any and all hazards.
Updating safety policies such as fall protection plans, hazard communication programs, lockout or tagout procedures, and respiratory protection programs
Providing targeted training programs for supervisors and workers
Helping companies strengthen their safety culture in a consistent and sustainable way
When you partner with us, you are not just buying insurance. You are building a safer workplace and reducing long term risk.
OSHA’s 2025 Top 10 list can feel like a tough scoreboard, but to me it is a clear call to action. Every citation points to a hazard that could have been prevented, and every fine represents a moment where someone’s safety was put at risk. My goal is to help companies close those gaps long before OSHA ever steps on site.
I train on these topics regularly, including fall protection, hazard communication, lockout or tagout, machine guarding, and powered industrial trucks. If you would like to schedule a training session for your team or if you have questions about any of these standards, feel free to email me at sstetson@dspins.com.
I am always here to help you keep your people safe and your business compliant.