Top OSHA Violations in 2026: What The New Report Tells Us

• The 2025 penalty amounts remained in effect this year: up to $16,550 per violation, $165,000 for willful/repeat ones.
• Fall protection and lack of training continue to dominate citations.
• Employees ignore safety rules when leadership treats them like a checklist.
• Rebuilding safety culture requires clarity, consistency, and example.

Every year, OSHA publishes its Top 10 Most Cited Violations. And every year, we see the same ones.

While we wait for the official report, early numbers shared at the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo (yep, we were there) tell a familiar story: same violations, same risks, still not enough action.

Fall protection remains at the top for the 16th year in a row. Hazard communications are always close behind. That’s a sign that people are still getting hurt for preventable reasons. This should be a wake-up call for every crew, contractor, and company to stop checking boxes and start protecting their people.

The issue: Unprotected edges, roofs, and ladders are still leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities. Workers often skip harnesses or tie-offs on short-duration tasks, and supervisors may look the other way.

The fix:

• Train workers on when and how to use fall protection
• Require and enforce 100% tie-off policies
• Conduct regular site audits focused on edges and elevation hazards

PPE to use:

• Full-body harness with lanyard or SRL
• Anchor points rated to support 5,000 lbs
• Roof brackets, guardrails, and toe boards

The issue: Workers handle chemicals with no idea what they are or what they can do. SDS sheets are missing or inaccessible, and labeling is often overlooked.

The fix:

• Keep updated SDSs in a clearly labeled binder or digital system
• Label every container properly, including secondary containers
• Train employees on GHS symbols and proper chemical handling

PPE to use:

• Nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves
• Goggles or face shields for splash risks
• Respirators when working with volatile or dusty chemicals

The issue: Employees work on machines without isolating energy sources. LOTO procedures are missing, vague, or ignored.

The fix:

• Create and post machine-specific LOTO procedures
• Provide LOTO kits for every work zone
• Train and retrain all affected employees annually

PPE to use:

• Insulated gloves for electrical LOTO
• Safety glasses while working near moving parts
• Arc-rated PPE when servicing high-voltage equipment

The issue: Workers use damaged ladders, place them at unsafe angles, or carry tools in hand while climbing. Most violations come from rushing.

The fix:

• Inspect ladders before every shift and tag damaged ones “Do Not Use”
• Train workers on the 4:1 ladder angle rule and 3-point contact
• Encourage the use of tool belts and staging gear

PPE to use:

• Slip-resistant boots
• Fall arrest systems when ladders are near leading edges

The issue: Workers wear respirators without fit tests or medical clearance. Some don’t know if their respirator is right for the job or how to clean it.

The fix:

• Conduct annual fit testing for tight-fitting respirators
• Provide medical evaluations and proper cleaning protocols
• Match the respirator type (N95, P100, half-mask, etc.) to the hazard

PPE to use:

• Disposable N95s for dust
• Half-mask respirators for chemicals/fumes
• Full-face respirators for high exposure levels or eye hazards

The issue: Forklifts and pallet jacks are operated by workers with no certification or refresher training. Maintenance logs are often incomplete.

The fix:

• Provide OSHA-compliant certification training every 3 years or after an incident
• Keep daily inspection checklists near each vehicle
• Enforce safe speeds and visual/audible alerts in shared zones

PPE to use:

• High-visibility vests in mixed-use areas
• Steel-toe boots to prevent crush injuries
• Seatbelts (must be used!)

The issue: Sparks fly, dust swirls, and chemicals splash—but workers leave their eye protection behind, or wear scratched, ineffective gear.

The fix:

• Make safety glasses mandatory in all work areas
• Provide task-specific PPE: shaded lenses for welding, sealed goggles for chemicals
• Replace damaged PPE immediately

PPE to use:

• ANSI Z87.1-compliant safety glasses
• Chemical splash goggles
• Face shields for grinding or spray work

The issue: Machines run with guards removed for cleaning or access. Others are purchased without adequate guards or don’t meet OSHA minimums.

The fix:

• Never allow machines to operate with guards removed
• Retrofit older machines with proper guarding
• Train operators to recognize guarding requirements

PPE to use:

• Cut-resistant gloves for manual operation
• Safety glasses or face shields near rotating parts
• Ear protection in loud machine zones

Prent Cline, acting deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, said many of the issues OSHA encounters involve small and midsize employers that may not fully understand regulatory requirements. At the same time, he noted that many of the same compliance issues persist year after year.

Fines alone will not make a workplace safer, and constantly reminding people about safety will not make them care. A safe workplace comes from setting clear expectations, following them every day, and holding people accountable when they are not followed.

All of these violations have one thing in common: someone thought it would be okay this time. That points to a deeper problem with the safety culture than a lack of rule following.

If your team thinks the gear is “overkill,” or that the rules are just to keep inspectors happy, that’s a leadership issue. The truth is, most injuries happen in places where safety was technically in place, but not enforced.

If your employees aren’t listening, it’s usually for one of three reasons: you aren’t setting an example, it feels like box-checking, or nobody is following up on it.

• You talk safety, but don’t walk it: if they see a foreman climbing a scaffold without fall protection, your training is meaningless. Model the behavior. Every time.
• It feels like box-checking, not real risk: people care more when they understand the “why.” Don’t just say “use a respirator.” Say: “That dust causes cancer. And we want you here in 10 years.”
• No one follows up: accountability doesn’t mean yelling, it means consistency. If someone skips the safety glasses once and no one corrects it, they’ll skip them again. And so will the next guy.

In a nutshell, you should lead by example. Make safety part of everyday conversation, not just orientation. Be consistent in enforcement, explain the “why,” and involve workers in hazard identification.

A clipboard is not enough to ensure safety. You need clarity, consistency, and a willingness to do what you ask others to do. That means:

• Auditing your own training gaps (start with the top 10 violations above)
• Making safety part of daily conversation, not just the annual meeting
• Following through on enforcement, even when it’s uncomfortable
• Giving your team tools that make safe behavior easier — like PPE that fits and doesn’t suck
• Lead by example and wear your PPE

OSHA violations fines are harsh, but the real cost is worse. Yes, $16,500 per violation adds up fast. But here’s what doesn’t show up in a violation notice:

• The employee who can’t come back to work
• The family that’s left with medical bills
• The team that saw something happen and doesn’t trust leadership anymore

Remember: you can fix a citation. You can’t undo a serious injury. Use PPE, stay safe, and protect your pack.