SAN DIEGO — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revealed its top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2022. 

"Fall Protection – General Requirements" remains at the top of the list for the 12th year in a row, followed by "Hazard Communication" and "Respiratory Protection." OSHA’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

“OSHA’s annual Top 10 list helps define trends so safety professionals can find the appropriate solutions,” said Lorraine Martin, National Safety Council (NSC) president and CEO. “Despite advancements in workplace safety, we continue to see the same types of violations each year. It’s more important than ever employers seek education and resources to keep their workers safe.”

The Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for FY 2022 are:

  1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,260 violations
  2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,424
  3. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,185
  4. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,143
  5. Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,058
  6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 1,977
  7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,749
  8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,556
  9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,401
  10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,370

Falls remain one of the deadliest hazards for roofing contractors. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the rate of deaths in roofing has increased, rising from 47 roofers per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2020 to 59 in 2021. For comparison the overall fatal work injury rate was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2021.

According to data from OSHA, the agency issued 4,714 citations for Duty to Have Fall Protection for "foundation, structure and building exterior contractors." These citations accounted for $30.6 million in penalties in the 2022 fiscal year, nearly half (47.8%) of the total penalties issued. Ladders was the next highest at $6.4 million in penalties.

The top 10 list was first presented during the 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, the world’s largest annual gathering of safety professionals.