The OSHA top 10: rules cited most often

The top 10 since 2015

1. 1926.501: Fall protection in construction 104,797 citations

   Construction employers have to protect workers from falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level, with guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems. It covers unprotected edges, roofs, holes, ramps and excavations. In our data it is the rule OSHA cites most.

2. 1910.1200: Hazard communication 101,058 citations

   If workers handle hazardous chemicals, the employer needs a written hazard communication program, labels on containers, a safety data sheet for each chemical, and training. The missing written program and missing training are the items cited most.

3. 1910.134: Respiratory protection 59,918 citations

   When workers need respirators, the employer has to run a written respiratory protection program: the right respirator for the hazard, a medical evaluation before use, fit testing, and training.

4. 1910.147: Lockout/tagout 51,337 citations

   Before anyone services or maintains a machine that could start up or release stored energy, it has to be shut down and locked or tagged out under written procedures for that equipment. The rule also requires training and an inspection of the procedures at least once a year.

5. 1926.451: Scaffolds, general requirements 46,190 citations

   The construction rules for scaffolds: how much they must hold, how they are built and reached, and fall protection for anyone working more than 10 feet up. Missing guardrails and unsafe access are common items.

6. 1926.1053: Ladders in construction 43,177 citations

   Portable ladders used to reach an upper level must extend at least 3 feet above it, be used only for what they were designed for, and be kept free of defects.

7. 1910.178: Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks 39,777 citations

   Operators must be trained and evaluated before they drive, and re-evaluated at least every three years. Trucks must be examined before use each day, or after each shift when they run around the clock.

8. 1926.503: Fall protection training in construction 37,425 citations

   Every construction worker who might be exposed to fall hazards must be trained by a competent person to recognize them, and the employer must keep a written certification of that training.

9. 1910.305: Electrical wiring methods 37,403 citations

   How wiring, boxes and cords must be installed. Common items are boxes without covers, flexible cords used in place of fixed wiring, and cords without strain relief.

10. 1910.303: Electrical equipment, general requirements 36,048 citations

    Electrical equipment must be free of recognized hazards, used the way it is listed or labeled, and have clear working space in front of panels, at least 3 feet in most cases.

The top 200