OSHA Announces Top 10 Most Cited Violations for 2026
OSHA unveiled its ten most frequently cited standards for the fiscal year 2026 at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo. Despite an overall decline in citations, fall protection remained OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the 16th consecutive fiscal year.
While the data is preliminary, it provides employers with valuable insight into common workplace hazards and areas where compliance efforts could be strengthened.
For the 16th consecutive year, “Fall protection—General requirements” was OSHA’s most frequently cited standard, highlighting that fall hazards remain a persistent workplace issue.
For 2026, the top 10 most cited standards were as follows:
- Fall protection—General requirements (1926.501): 4,041 total violations
- Hazard communication (1910.1200): 1,961 total violations
- Control of hazardous energy—Lockout/tagout (1910.147): 1,863 total violations
- Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,725 total violations
- Ladders (1926.1053): 1,659 total violations
- Respiratory protection (1910.134): 1,608 total violations
- Powered industrial trucks (1910.178): 1,379 total violations
- Fall protection—Training requirements (1926.503): 1,273 violations
- Personal protective and life-saving equipment—Eye and face protection (1926.102): 1,120 total violations
- Machine guarding (1910.212): 1,072 total violations
Although the top 10 remained unchanged from fiscal year 2025, several standards changed positions. “Scaffolding” climbed two places to fourth while “Lockout/tagout” and “Powered industrial trucks” both moved up one. Meanwhile, “Respiratory protection” and “Fall protection—Training requirements” each fell by one place, and “Ladders” fell by two.
Regardless, each citation serves as a reminder of the workplace hazards OSHA inspectors continue to encounter and the importance of strengthening safety programs.
“Year after year, the OSHA Top 10 reminds us how pervasive preventable workplace hazards remain,” said NSC CEO Lorraine Martin. “Every citation represents an opportunity to identify gaps and strengthen safety practices before a worker is injured.”
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The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2026 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.