OSHA Releases the Top 10 Workplace Safety Hazards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2021.

Fall protection stays at the top of the list for the 11th year, followed by Respiratory Protection and Ladders. Hazard Communication, which spent the last several years at number two, moved to the fifth spot on this year’s list.

North Dakota’s top numbers differ slightly. Fall protection is number one but general machine guarding and protective systems for trenching and excavating follow that.

The Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards in the nation for FY 2021 are:

  1. Fall Protection – General Requirements: 5,295 violations
  2. Respiratory Protection: 2,527
  3. Ladders: 2,026
  4. Scaffolding: 1,948
  5. Hazard Communication: 1,947
  6. Lockout/Tagout: 1,698
  7. Fall Protection – Training Requirements: 1,666
  8. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection: 1,452
  9. Powered Industrial Trucks: 1,420
  10. Machine Guarding: 1,113

A more in-depth analysis of the Top 10 violations for 2021 will be published in the December edition of Safety+Health magazine, a National Safety Council publication.

NDSC’s OSHA courses can ensure that you avoid these hazards. Learn more about our Workplace Safety courses on our website or by contacting Alex Redmann at alexr@ndsc.org or 701-751-6109.