Most Cited OSHA Standards

OSHA citation items, federal and State Plan, by year issued. Data through November 12, 2026.

About these filters

Part buttons are 29 CFR part numbers: 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards, 1926 Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, 1904 Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Other codes are everything else, including the general duty clause (5A0001), other CFR parts, and codes State Plans record under their own numbering. Year and State are one choice: we hold no view of standards by state and year together, so the page never labels a state's all-years rows with a year.

Top 50 standards, 1989

Rank	Standard	Citations	Share of all citations	Inspections	Initial penalties	Current penalties
1	1910.1200Hazard CommunicationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2025.	36,686	9.68%	14,627	$4,331,496	$3,077,315
2	1926.59Hazard CommunicationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	32,150	8.49%	11,759	$1,481,269	$1,049,070
3	1910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	10,594	2.80%	5,534	$1,942,503	$1,368,215
4	1926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	10,209	2.69%	5,210	$3,715,651	$2,588,069
5	1926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	9,825	2.59%	7,718	$1,665,821	$1,256,442
6	1910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	9,820	2.59%	5,876	$805,506	$560,136
7	1926.500Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpartTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	8,863	2.34%	6,199	$3,028,823	$2,130,323
8	1910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	8,229	2.17%	4,918	$744,603	$549,095
9	1910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,857	2.07%	5,964	$2,381,119	$1,601,576
10	1910.134Respiratory ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,436	1.96%	3,318	$1,161,570	$540,249
11	1910.304Wiring design and protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,200	1.90%	5,470	$879,741	$615,944
12	1904.2	6,932	1.83%	6,103	$6,897,807	$3,891,880
13	1903.2Posting of Notices; Availability of the Act, Regulations and Applicable StandardsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	6,708	1.77%	6,702	$75,413	$53,609
14	1910.303	6,672	1.76%	4,716	$3,140,809	$1,849,498
15	1910.106	6,442	1.70%	3,785	$780,009	$541,861
16	1910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,928	1.56%	2,758	$927,329	$674,211
17	1926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	5,860	1.55%	4,496	$421,843	$301,481
18	1910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,690	1.50%	4,119	$164,020	$112,898
19	1910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,360	1.41%	2,032	$634,646	$418,771
20	1910.252General requirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,212	1.38%	3,423	$624,107	$395,731
21	1910.20	4,890	1.29%	2,257	$101,180	$58,898
22	1910.22	4,683	1.24%	3,901	$1,321,435	$768,402
23	1910.23LaddersRewritten effective January 17, 2017. Figures include the earlier text.	4,552	1.20%	3,419	$1,107,843	$676,094
24	1926.450Scaffolding - Scope, Application, and DefinitionsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	4,441	1.17%	3,169	$697,721	$481,568
25	1910.95Occupational Noise ExposureTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,374	1.15%	1,496	$4,200,299	$1,662,729
26	1910.1025LeadTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2025.	4,319	1.14%	950	$3,909,595	$2,342,744
27	1910.37	3,841	1.01%	2,843	$202,933	$131,614
28	1926.50Medical services and first aidTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	3,504	0.92%	2,952	$36,467	$26,920
29	1910.178Powered Industrial TrucksTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,485	0.92%	2,541	$635,975	$435,374
30	1926.152	3,380	0.89%	2,732	$206,870	$151,579
31	1910.151Medical Services and First AidTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,301	0.87%	3,162	$562,758	$415,468
32	1926.100Head protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	3,075	0.81%	3,060	$830,580	$615,496
33	1926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	3,049	0.80%	2,443	$665,700	$451,034
34	1910.217Mechanical Power PressesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,988	0.79%	999	$876,780	$559,169
35	1926.550	2,921	0.77%	1,323	$738,801	$491,112
36	1926.350Gas Welding and CuttingTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,664	0.70%	1,872	$284,007	$209,714
37	1926.150Fire Protection (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,565	0.68%	2,254	$103,035	$72,051
38	1926.21Safety Training and EducationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,530	0.67%	2,494	$947,031	$639,336
39	1926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,474	0.65%	1,705	$2,192,887	$1,392,029
40	1910.132General requirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,430	0.64%	2,253	$1,626,254	$772,626
41	1926.58	2,298	0.61%	657	$1,110,617	$634,604
42	1926.602Material Handling EquipmentTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,247	0.59%	1,747	$238,673	$184,553
43	1910.141SanitationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,214	0.58%	1,622	$183,568	$116,212
44	1926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,004	0.53%	1,770	$249,404	$178,519
45	1926.28Personal Protective EquipmentTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,997	0.53%	1,973	$789,338	$553,489
46	1910.133Eye and Face ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,886	0.50%	1,833	$438,191	$288,360
47	1910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,816	0.48%	863	$1,364,722	$409,512
48	1926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,786	0.47%	1,402	$1,037,418	$686,876
49	1910.142Temporary Labor CampsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,744	0.46%	576	$17,475	$14,725
50	5A0001General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)	1,708	0.45%	1,272	$4,658,918	$2,252,924

CitationsInspectionsPenalties

Order: most citations first. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a standard for all figures.

11910.1200Hazard CommunicationCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 202536,6869.68% of all14,627inspections$3,077,315current penalties

Citations: 36,686
Inspections: 14,627
Current penalties: $3,077,315
Initial penalties: $4,331,496
Share of all citations: 9.68%

1910.1200 standard page

21926.59Hazard CommunicationCFR title checked from 1997 on32,1508.49% of all11,759inspections$1,049,070current penalties

Citations: 32,150
Inspections: 11,759
Current penalties: $1,049,070
Initial penalties: $1,481,269
Share of all citations: 8.49%

1926.59 standard page

31910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 200210,5942.80% of all5,534inspections$1,368,215current penalties

Citations: 10,594
Inspections: 5,534
Current penalties: $1,368,215
Initial penalties: $1,942,503
Share of all citations: 2.80%

1910.219 standard page

41926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on10,2092.69% of all5,210inspections$2,588,069current penalties

Citations: 10,209
Inspections: 5,210
Current penalties: $2,588,069
Initial penalties: $3,715,651
Share of all citations: 2.69%

1926.451 standard page

51926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on9,8252.59% of all7,718inspections$1,256,442current penalties

Citations: 9,825
Inspections: 7,718
Current penalties: $1,256,442
Initial penalties: $1,665,821
Share of all citations: 2.59%

1926.404 standard page

61910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20029,8202.59% of all5,876inspections$560,136current penalties

Citations: 9,820
Inspections: 5,876
Current penalties: $560,136
Initial penalties: $805,506
Share of all citations: 2.59%

1910.305 standard page

71926.500Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpartCFR title checked from 1997 on8,8632.34% of all6,199inspections$2,130,323current penalties

Citations: 8,863
Inspections: 6,199
Current penalties: $2,130,323
Initial penalties: $3,028,823
Share of all citations: 2.34%

1926.500 standard page

81910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20028,2292.17% of all4,918inspections$549,095current penalties

Citations: 8,229
Inspections: 4,918
Current penalties: $549,095
Initial penalties: $744,603
Share of all citations: 2.17%

1910.215 standard page

91910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,8572.07% of all5,964inspections$1,601,576current penalties

Citations: 7,857
Inspections: 5,964
Current penalties: $1,601,576
Initial penalties: $2,381,119
Share of all citations: 2.07%

1910.212 standard page

101910.134Respiratory ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,4361.96% of all3,318inspections$540,249current penalties

Citations: 7,436
Inspections: 3,318
Current penalties: $540,249
Initial penalties: $1,161,570
Share of all citations: 1.96%

1910.134 standard page

111910.304Wiring design and protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,2001.90% of all5,470inspections$615,944current penalties

Citations: 7,200
Inspections: 5,470
Current penalties: $615,944
Initial penalties: $879,741
Share of all citations: 1.90%

1910.304 standard page

121904.26,9321.83% of all6,103inspections$3,891,880current penalties

Citations: 6,932
Inspections: 6,103
Current penalties: $3,891,880
Initial penalties: $6,897,807
Share of all citations: 1.83%

1904.2 standard page

131903.2Posting of Notices; Availability of the Act, Regulations and Applicable StandardsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20026,7081.77% of all6,702inspections$53,609current penalties

Citations: 6,708
Inspections: 6,702
Current penalties: $53,609
Initial penalties: $75,413
Share of all citations: 1.77%

1903.2 standard page

141910.3036,6721.76% of all4,716inspections$1,849,498current penalties

Citations: 6,672
Inspections: 4,716
Current penalties: $1,849,498
Initial penalties: $3,140,809
Share of all citations: 1.76%

1910.303 standard page

151910.1066,4421.70% of all3,785inspections$541,861current penalties

Citations: 6,442
Inspections: 3,785
Current penalties: $541,861
Initial penalties: $780,009
Share of all citations: 1.70%

1910.106 standard page

161910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,9281.56% of all2,758inspections$674,211current penalties

Citations: 5,928
Inspections: 2,758
Current penalties: $674,211
Initial penalties: $927,329
Share of all citations: 1.56%

1910.213 standard page

171926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on5,8601.55% of all4,496inspections$301,481current penalties

Citations: 5,860
Inspections: 4,496
Current penalties: $301,481
Initial penalties: $421,843
Share of all citations: 1.55%

1926.405 standard page

181910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,6901.50% of all4,119inspections$112,898current penalties

Citations: 5,690
Inspections: 4,119
Current penalties: $112,898
Initial penalties: $164,020
Share of all citations: 1.50%

1910.157 standard page

191910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,3601.41% of all2,032inspections$418,771current penalties

Citations: 5,360
Inspections: 2,032
Current penalties: $418,771
Initial penalties: $634,646
Share of all citations: 1.41%

1910.107 standard page

201910.252General requirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,2121.38% of all3,423inspections$395,731current penalties

Citations: 5,212
Inspections: 3,423
Current penalties: $395,731
Initial penalties: $624,107
Share of all citations: 1.38%

1910.252 standard page

211910.204,8901.29% of all2,257inspections$58,898current penalties

Citations: 4,890
Inspections: 2,257
Current penalties: $58,898
Initial penalties: $101,180
Share of all citations: 1.29%

1910.20 standard page

221910.224,6831.24% of all3,901inspections$768,402current penalties

Citations: 4,683
Inspections: 3,901
Current penalties: $768,402
Initial penalties: $1,321,435
Share of all citations: 1.24%

1910.22 standard page

231910.23LaddersRewritten 2017; includes earlier text4,5521.20% of all3,419inspections$676,094current penalties

Citations: 4,552
Inspections: 3,419
Current penalties: $676,094
Initial penalties: $1,107,843
Share of all citations: 1.20%

1910.23 standard page

241926.450Scaffolding - Scope, Application, and DefinitionsCFR title checked from 1997 on4,4411.17% of all3,169inspections$481,568current penalties

Citations: 4,441
Inspections: 3,169
Current penalties: $481,568
Initial penalties: $697,721
Share of all citations: 1.17%

1926.450 standard page

251910.95Occupational Noise ExposureCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,3741.15% of all1,496inspections$1,662,729current penalties

Citations: 4,374
Inspections: 1,496
Current penalties: $1,662,729
Initial penalties: $4,200,299
Share of all citations: 1.15%

1910.95 standard page

261910.1025LeadCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20254,3191.14% of all950inspections$2,342,744current penalties

Citations: 4,319
Inspections: 950
Current penalties: $2,342,744
Initial penalties: $3,909,595
Share of all citations: 1.14%

1910.1025 standard page

271910.373,8411.01% of all2,843inspections$131,614current penalties

Citations: 3,841
Inspections: 2,843
Current penalties: $131,614
Initial penalties: $202,933
Share of all citations: 1.01%

1910.37 standard page

281926.50Medical services and first aidCFR title checked from 1997 on3,5040.92% of all2,952inspections$26,920current penalties

Citations: 3,504
Inspections: 2,952
Current penalties: $26,920
Initial penalties: $36,467
Share of all citations: 0.92%

1926.50 standard page

291910.178Powered Industrial TrucksCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,4850.92% of all2,541inspections$435,374current penalties

Citations: 3,485
Inspections: 2,541
Current penalties: $435,374
Initial penalties: $635,975
Share of all citations: 0.92%

1910.178 standard page

301926.1523,3800.89% of all2,732inspections$151,579current penalties

Citations: 3,380
Inspections: 2,732
Current penalties: $151,579
Initial penalties: $206,870
Share of all citations: 0.89%

1926.152 standard page

311910.151Medical Services and First AidCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,3010.87% of all3,162inspections$415,468current penalties

Citations: 3,301
Inspections: 3,162
Current penalties: $415,468
Initial penalties: $562,758
Share of all citations: 0.87%

1910.151 standard page

321926.100Head protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on3,0750.81% of all3,060inspections$615,496current penalties

Citations: 3,075
Inspections: 3,060
Current penalties: $615,496
Initial penalties: $830,580
Share of all citations: 0.81%

1926.100 standard page

331926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsCFR title checked from 1997 on3,0490.80% of all2,443inspections$451,034current penalties

Citations: 3,049
Inspections: 2,443
Current penalties: $451,034
Initial penalties: $665,700
Share of all citations: 0.80%

1926.20 standard page

341910.217Mechanical Power PressesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,9880.79% of all999inspections$559,169current penalties

Citations: 2,988
Inspections: 999
Current penalties: $559,169
Initial penalties: $876,780
Share of all citations: 0.79%

1910.217 standard page

351926.5502,9210.77% of all1,323inspections$491,112current penalties

Citations: 2,921
Inspections: 1,323
Current penalties: $491,112
Initial penalties: $738,801
Share of all citations: 0.77%

1926.550 standard page

361926.350Gas Welding and CuttingCFR title checked from 1997 on2,6640.70% of all1,872inspections$209,714current penalties

Citations: 2,664
Inspections: 1,872
Current penalties: $209,714
Initial penalties: $284,007
Share of all citations: 0.70%

1926.350 standard page

371926.150Fire Protection (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,5650.68% of all2,254inspections$72,051current penalties

Citations: 2,565
Inspections: 2,254
Current penalties: $72,051
Initial penalties: $103,035
Share of all citations: 0.68%

1926.150 standard page

381926.21Safety Training and EducationCFR title checked from 1997 on2,5300.67% of all2,494inspections$639,336current penalties

Citations: 2,530
Inspections: 2,494
Current penalties: $639,336
Initial penalties: $947,031
Share of all citations: 0.67%

1926.21 standard page

391926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesCFR title checked from 1997 on2,4740.65% of all1,705inspections$1,392,029current penalties

Citations: 2,474
Inspections: 1,705
Current penalties: $1,392,029
Initial penalties: $2,192,887
Share of all citations: 0.65%

1926.652 standard page

401910.132General requirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,4300.64% of all2,253inspections$772,626current penalties

Citations: 2,430
Inspections: 2,253
Current penalties: $772,626
Initial penalties: $1,626,254
Share of all citations: 0.64%

1910.132 standard page

411926.582,2980.61% of all657inspections$634,604current penalties

Citations: 2,298
Inspections: 657
Current penalties: $634,604
Initial penalties: $1,110,617
Share of all citations: 0.61%

1926.58 standard page

421926.602Material Handling EquipmentCFR title checked from 1997 on2,2470.59% of all1,747inspections$184,553current penalties

Citations: 2,247
Inspections: 1,747
Current penalties: $184,553
Initial penalties: $238,673
Share of all citations: 0.59%

1926.602 standard page

431910.141SanitationCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,2140.58% of all1,622inspections$116,212current penalties

Citations: 2,214
Inspections: 1,622
Current penalties: $116,212
Initial penalties: $183,568
Share of all citations: 0.58%

1910.141 standard page

441926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,0040.53% of all1,770inspections$178,519current penalties

Citations: 2,004
Inspections: 1,770
Current penalties: $178,519
Initial penalties: $249,404
Share of all citations: 0.53%

1926.403 standard page

451926.28Personal Protective EquipmentCFR title checked from 1997 on1,9970.53% of all1,973inspections$553,489current penalties

Citations: 1,997
Inspections: 1,973
Current penalties: $553,489
Initial penalties: $789,338
Share of all citations: 0.53%

1926.28 standard page

461910.133Eye and Face ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,8860.50% of all1,833inspections$288,360current penalties

Citations: 1,886
Inspections: 1,833
Current penalties: $288,360
Initial penalties: $438,191
Share of all citations: 0.50%

1910.133 standard page

471910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,8160.48% of all863inspections$409,512current penalties

Citations: 1,816
Inspections: 863
Current penalties: $409,512
Initial penalties: $1,364,722
Share of all citations: 0.48%

1910.179 standard page

481926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on1,7860.47% of all1,402inspections$686,876current penalties

Citations: 1,786
Inspections: 1,402
Current penalties: $686,876
Initial penalties: $1,037,418
Share of all citations: 0.47%

1926.651 standard page

491910.142Temporary Labor CampsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,7440.46% of all576inspections$14,725current penalties

Citations: 1,744
Inspections: 576
Current penalties: $14,725
Initial penalties: $17,475
Share of all citations: 0.46%

1910.142 standard page

505A0001General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)1,7080.45% of all1,272inspections$2,252,924current penalties

Citations: 1,708
Inspections: 1,272
Current penalties: $2,252,924
Initial penalties: $4,658,918
Share of all citations: 0.45%

All citations in this view: 378,853. Share is each standard's citations divided by that total.
Federal codes combine all their paragraphs, so 1910.1200 is one row. State Plan codes are listed exactly as recorded, with the OSHA citation code shown.
Inspections counts each inspection once per standard, however many paragraphs were cited.
Initial penalties are the amounts first assessed. Current penalties reflect later changes, such as settlements or contest outcomes.
Citations with no state on the inspection record are counted here, not in state views.
No title is shown where a single title could not be confirmed against the CFR editions in force across the code's citation years. An edition named as an exception is missing from govinfo's bulk data for that CFR volume, so it could not be checked.

Official resources

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Data Source and Methodology

DOL source data

Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforcement database, accessed via the DOL public data API. Errors in data processing or establishment grouping are possible. Penalty amounts are the latest on record and may differ from the initial assessment or the final amount after informal conference, settlement or judicial review. Company pages group records by employer name, city and state as OSHA reported them, not by legal entity (methodology). Found an error? Report it. This product uses the DOL Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the DOL. For official and authoritative records, visit osha.gov.

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