OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2025 and What They Mean for Construction Businesses

Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases data on its most frequently cited safety standards. The 2025 list offers useful insight for construction businesses looking to strengthen safety programs, reduce risk, and maintain compliance.

Understanding these trends helps construction leaders identify where exposures commonly occur and take proactive steps to protect their teams and operation.

OSHA’s Most Frequently Cited Standards in 2025

1. Fall protection—General requirements (1926.501): 5,914 total violations
2. Hazard communication (1910.1200): 2,546 total violations
3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,405 total violations
4. Control of hazardous energy—Lockout/tagout (1910.147): 2,177 total violations
5. Respiratory protection (1910.134): 1,953 total violations
6. Fall protection—Training requirements (1926.503): 1,907 violations
7. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,905 total violations
8. Powered industrial trucks (1910.178): 1,826 total violations
9. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment—Eye and face protection (1926.102): 1,665 total violations
10. Machine guarding (1910.212): 1,239 total violations

While some standards changed positions from last year, such as scaffolding moving up and respiratory protection moving down, fall protection continues to lead the list for the fifteenth consecutive year. This consistency highlights the ongoing challenges of working at height and maintaining jobsite safety.

What This Means for Construction EmployersEconomic Pressures

Construction remains one of the most hazardous industries because of its physical nature and fast-changing environments. Violations involving fall protection, scaffolding, and ladders continue to account for the largest share of citations. These findings show why regular inspections, clear safety procedures, and strong training programs are essential.

Employers can help reduce risk and potential OSHA citations by:

• Conducting site-specific safety planning and daily hazard assessments
• Ensuring personal protective equipment (PPE) is used correctly and maintained
• Training supervisors to recognize and correct unsafe conditions in real time
• Encouraging employees to report hazards and participate in safety programs

When teams are engaged in identifying and addressing risks, compliance becomes part of everyday operations. That proactive approach helps protect people, projects, and profitability.

Building a Safer Future

Staying informed about OSHA’s most frequently cited standards is an important part of risk management. By applying these insights to daily operations, construction businesses can help prevent incidents, maintain productivity, and strengthen jobsite performance.

The Trucordia companies provide construction businesses with insurance solutions designed to help manage these risks, support safety programs, and promote long-term success.

Get more information about our construction business insurance solutions.