OSHA’s top violations in 2025 include issues such as fall protection, hazard communication, and scaffolding safety. Reviewing OSHA’s top 10 violations each year is valuable for businesses of all kinds because it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce and gives them the information they need to enhance their occupational safety practices and compliance programs.
OSHA 2025 Top 10
OSHA’s top 10 violations for fiscal year 2025 are as follows:
- Fall Protection, general requirements (29 CFR 1926.501): 5,914 violations
- Hazard Communication, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200): 2,546 violations
- Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053): 2,405 violations
- Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147): 2,177 violations
- Respiratory Protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134): 1,953 violations
- Fall Protection Training, construction (29 CFR 1926.503): 1,907 violations
- Scaffolding, construction (29 CFR 1926.451): 1,905 violations
- Powered Industrial Trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178): 1,826 violations
- Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,665 violations (9)
- Machine Guarding, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212): 1,239 violations (10)
Fall protection in construction remained the #1 violation for the 15th year, signaling persistent challenges with working at heights. In 2024, fall protection had 6,307 violations, showing the number of violations declined by 393 in 2025.
Hazard communication is again in spot #2, followed by ladders. The remaining 7 violations were all featured in last year’s list, although they have been re-arranged to some extent—with lockout/tagout now in spot 4 instead of 5; respiratory protection now in spot 5 instead of 4; fall protection training now in spot 6 instead of 7; scaffolding now in spot 7 instead of 8; and powered industrial trucks now in spot 8 instead of 6.
Past OSHA Top 10 Lists of Violations
You can learn more about the OSHA Top 10 Violations and previous years’ lists here:
OSHA Top 10 Violations of 2023
OSHA Top 10 Violations of 2020
OSHA Top 10 Violations of 2019
OSHA Top 10 Violations of 2018
OSHA Releases the Top 10 Violations of 2017
OSHA Releases the Top 10 Violations of 2016
Why Does Fall Protection Keep Landing at #1?
In 2025, there were 5,914 fall protection violations, highlighting that this issue is more than just a problem: it is a widespread crisis. Despite repeated warnings, employers continue to neglect providing essential safety measures like guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, leaving workers at risk of severe injuries or even death. Additionally, “Fall Protection – Training Requirements” ranked among the top 10 violations, showing that the issue is not just a lack of equipment, but it is also a lack of proper training on how to use it safely.
Falls are not limited to construction sites either. Warehouses, manufacturing plants, and even office buildings with elevated workspaces are all potential danger zones.
What Is ISO 45001:2018?
ISO 45001:2018 sets the requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS), which is designed to help organizations of all types and sizes create safer and healthier workplaces. This international standard aims to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, thereby reducing risks to both employees and businesses.
You can learn more about ISO 45001:2018 in our blog post: Technical Specification for Auditors of ISO 45001:2018.
ISO 45001:2018 is available on the ANSI Webstore and in Standards Packages like ISO 45001 – Occupational Health And Safety Management Systems Package and ISO 45001 / BS ISO 45001 / ANSI/ASSP Z10.0 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Package.
ISO 45001 Certification and Its Impact on Workplace Safety
Organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to safety and improve their performance can pursue ISO 45001 certification. Certification bodies, which are accredited by accreditation bodies such as the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), evaluate compliance with the ISO 45001:2018 requirements.
ANAB offers accreditation for OH&SMS conforming to ISO 45001:2018.
Building a Safer Workplace By Implementing an ISO 45001:2018 OH&SMS
ISO 45001:2018 is designed to embed a safety culture within organizations, helping companies actively identify hazards and implement measures to mitigate risks. This leads to fewer workplace injuries and improved overall safety. In fact, ISO 45001-certified organizations have reported a 32% reduction in injury rates on average.
By implementing and adhering to these rigorous standards, companies not only comply with safety regulations but also create a culture that prioritizes employee well-being, ultimately reducing the risk of workplace accidents—many of which are represented in OSHA’s top 10 violations list.