OSHA’s 2024 Top 10 Violations and Their Impact on the Construction Industry

In November, OSHA released its preliminary data for the top 10 most frequently cited standards for the 2024 fiscal year, offering valuable insights for businesses across all industries. By understanding these common safety violations, companies can better identify workplace hazards, enhance compliance programs and protect their workforce. For the construction industry in particular, these findings highlight critical safety concerns that can directly impact worker health, project timelines and the bottom line.

Top 10 OSHA Violations for 2024

1. Fall protection – general requirements: 6,307 violations
2. Hazard communication: 2,888 violations
3. Ladders: 2,573 violations
4. Respiratory protection: 2,470 violations
5. Lockout/tagout: 2,443 violations
6. Powered industrial trucks: 2,248 violations
7. Fall protection – training requirements: 2,050 violations
8. Scaffolding: 1,873 violations
9. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment – eye and face protection: 1,814 violations
10. Machine guarding: 1,541 violations

The Construction Industry's Safety Challenge

For construction companies, OSHA’s 2024 data is a wake-up call, highlighting areas where safety lapses are most prevalent and can lead to significant risks. Fall protection remains the top violation, with more than 8,000 citations (the first and seventh most cited failures). This data reflects the construction industry’s inherent risks, where workers often perform tasks at heights or in environments prone to falls. Employers must enforce robust fall protection programs, ensuring workers are equipped with the right gear and are well-trained in safe work practices. This includes the proper use of guardrails, personal fall arrest systems and other fall prevention technologies.

Ladders and scaffolding, the third and eighth most cited violations, are closely linked to fall hazards. Although ladders and scaffolds are common tools on construction sites, improper use or inadequate safety measures often result in accidents. Training workers on correct ladder setup and scaffold assembly, as well as regular inspections, can prevent these accidents and keep teams safe.

Another concerning trend is the rise in respiratory protection violations. With construction workers frequently exposed to hazardous airborne materials, such as dust, fumes, silica and lead, respiratory protection standards are crucial. Compliance with these regulations can prevent long-term health issues such as lung disease, and investing in proper respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is essential to safeguard workers’ health on construction sites.

Lockout/tagout and machine guarding violations, though not as prominent as fall protection, continue to be problematic. On construction sites, workers often interact with heavy machinery and equipment, and the failure to develop and follow lockout/tagout procedures or to ensure proper machine guarding can lead to catastrophic injuries. Regular training and strict compliance with safety protocols are necessary to minimize risks related to equipment operation.

Key Areas for Construction Businesses to Address

Construction companies should pay close attention to the following to ensure a safer work environment:

• Fall Protection: Given its prominence, fall protection must be at the top of every construction company's safety agenda. This includes investing in fall arrest systems, ensuring safe access to elevated work areas and providing ongoing fall protection training.
• Training: Effective safety training is critical. Providing regular, comprehensive training in areas such as fall protection, hazard communication, respiratory protection and equipment handling helps reduce human error and increase compliance.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Proper PPE, such as helmets, eye protection and respiratory gear, is crucial for protecting workers from injuries. Ensure all workers have access to appropriate PPE that fits and are trained in its correct use.
• Safety Equipment and Inspections: Routine safety protocols should include regular inspections of scaffolding, ladders and machinery. Any equipment found to be faulty or unsafe should be immediately removed from service.
• Compliance: Aligning with OSHA’s standards is not just about avoiding penalties—it’s about creating a culture of safety. Regularly reviewing OSHA’s guidelines and updating safety programs to meet or exceed these standards will help construction companies improve overall safety and reduce workplace incidents.

By focusing on these high-risk areas—fall protection, ladder and scaffold safety, respiratory health, and equipment safety—construction businesses can significantly enhance their safety culture. This will not only reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries but also help companies avoid costly fines and ensure they remain in good standing with OSHA. Prioritizing worker safety isn’t just a regulatory requirement; it’s a key factor in building a sustainable, successful business in the construction industry.

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The above information does not constitute advice. Always contact your insurance broker or trusted advisor for insurance-related questions.