Most Cited OSHA Standards

OSHA citation items, federal and State Plan, by year issued. Data through November 13, 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, 1990

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.	33,762	8.06%	14,132	$4,130,669	$2,833,293
2	1926.59Hazard CommunicationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	31,783	7.59%	12,500	$3,029,123	$2,266,455
3	1910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	9,326	2.23%	4,824	$2,212,486	$1,547,357
4	1910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	9,296	2.22%	5,328	$924,139	$621,171
5	1926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	8,824	2.11%	4,454	$3,499,283	$2,450,938
6	1926.500Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpartTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	7,441	1.78%	5,217	$2,991,957	$2,112,803
7	1926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	7,405	1.77%	5,813	$1,460,137	$1,103,547
8	1910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,332	1.75%	5,460	$2,453,481	$1,684,487
9	1910.134Respiratory ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,160	1.71%	3,345	$1,360,234	$747,472
10	1910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	6,771	1.62%	4,076	$806,896	$579,722
11	1910.303	6,588	1.57%	4,435	$949,161	$665,732
12	1910.106	6,276	1.50%	3,681	$934,574	$593,065
13	1904.2	6,156	1.47%	5,241	$3,121,695	$1,092,805
14	1910.147The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,831	1.39%	4,101	$1,663,095	$1,189,161
15	1910.304Wiring design and protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,737	1.37%	4,425	$852,009	$593,085
16	1903.2Posting of Notices; Availability of the Act, Regulations and Applicable StandardsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,402	1.29%	5,398	$127,470	$95,905
17	1910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,315	1.27%	3,801	$221,077	$142,939
18	1926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	5,096	1.22%	3,750	$528,505	$381,300
19	1910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,004	1.19%	2,342	$940,799	$645,282
20	1910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,271	1.02%	1,610	$685,319	$436,910
21	1910.22	4,118	0.98%	3,447	$598,811	$371,697
22	1910.23LaddersRewritten effective January 17, 2017. Figures include the earlier text.	4,102	0.98%	3,019	$888,113	$614,682
23	1910.20	4,002	0.96%	1,841	$103,818	$54,605
24	1910.252General requirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,887	0.93%	2,556	$558,055	$363,661
25	1926.450Scaffolding - Scope, Application, and DefinitionsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	3,699	0.88%	2,610	$751,340	$536,293
26	1910.37	3,519	0.84%	2,557	$300,962	$214,965
27	1910.95Occupational Noise ExposureTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,256	0.78%	1,340	$1,133,378	$600,174
28	1910.1025LeadTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2025.	3,194	0.76%	741	$1,279,613	$604,301
29	1926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	3,115	0.74%	1,854	$1,884,890	$1,152,752
30	1910.151Medical Services and First AidTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,045	0.73%	2,940	$629,728	$407,875
31	1910.178Powered Industrial TrucksTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,989	0.71%	2,143	$604,096	$402,627
32	1926.152	2,898	0.69%	2,359	$273,808	$200,311
33	1926.550	2,750	0.66%	1,209	$914,016	$542,687
34	5A0001General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)	2,617	0.62%	1,093	$10,366,557	$7,021,035
35	1926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,604	0.62%	2,097	$738,198	$489,437
36	1926.58	2,567	0.61%	700	$1,874,515	$1,061,115
37	1926.21Safety Training and EducationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,545	0.61%	2,507	$1,182,706	$751,424
38	1926.50Medical services and first aidTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,489	0.59%	2,160	$80,380	$56,423
39	1910.217Mechanical Power PressesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,405	0.57%	869	$882,464	$598,745
40	1926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,389	0.57%	1,934	$2,838,322	$1,728,818
41	1926.100Head protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,367	0.56%	2,362	$701,659	$513,796
42	1910.132General requirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,326	0.56%	2,228	$843,767	$540,470
43	1926.350Gas Welding and CuttingTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,175	0.52%	1,485	$360,965	$259,432
44	1926.602Material Handling EquipmentTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,118	0.51%	1,648	$372,795	$285,406
45	1910.141SanitationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,936	0.46%	1,392	$166,248	$108,066
46	1926.150Fire Protection (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,930	0.46%	1,670	$137,955	$87,943
47	1926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,915	0.46%	1,661	$364,197	$266,106
48	1926.28Personal Protective EquipmentTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,873	0.45%	1,847	$847,016	$601,328
49	1910.133Eye and Face ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,772	0.42%	1,721	$437,500	$289,134
50	1910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,741	0.42%	832	$378,466	$224,401

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 202533,7628.06% of all14,132inspections$2,833,293current penalties

Citations: 33,762
Inspections: 14,132
Current penalties: $2,833,293
Initial penalties: $4,130,669
Share of all citations: 8.06%

1910.1200 standard page

21926.59Hazard CommunicationCFR title checked from 1997 on31,7837.59% of all12,500inspections$2,266,455current penalties

Citations: 31,783
Inspections: 12,500
Current penalties: $2,266,455
Initial penalties: $3,029,123
Share of all citations: 7.59%

1926.59 standard page

31910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20029,3262.23% of all4,824inspections$1,547,357current penalties

Citations: 9,326
Inspections: 4,824
Current penalties: $1,547,357
Initial penalties: $2,212,486
Share of all citations: 2.23%

1910.219 standard page

41910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20029,2962.22% of all5,328inspections$621,171current penalties

Citations: 9,296
Inspections: 5,328
Current penalties: $621,171
Initial penalties: $924,139
Share of all citations: 2.22%

1910.305 standard page

51926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on8,8242.11% of all4,454inspections$2,450,938current penalties

Citations: 8,824
Inspections: 4,454
Current penalties: $2,450,938
Initial penalties: $3,499,283
Share of all citations: 2.11%

1926.451 standard page

61926.500Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpartCFR title checked from 1997 on7,4411.78% of all5,217inspections$2,112,803current penalties

Citations: 7,441
Inspections: 5,217
Current penalties: $2,112,803
Initial penalties: $2,991,957
Share of all citations: 1.78%

1926.500 standard page

71926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on7,4051.77% of all5,813inspections$1,103,547current penalties

Citations: 7,405
Inspections: 5,813
Current penalties: $1,103,547
Initial penalties: $1,460,137
Share of all citations: 1.77%

1926.404 standard page

81910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,3321.75% of all5,460inspections$1,684,487current penalties

Citations: 7,332
Inspections: 5,460
Current penalties: $1,684,487
Initial penalties: $2,453,481
Share of all citations: 1.75%

1910.212 standard page

91910.134Respiratory ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,1601.71% of all3,345inspections$747,472current penalties

Citations: 7,160
Inspections: 3,345
Current penalties: $747,472
Initial penalties: $1,360,234
Share of all citations: 1.71%

1910.134 standard page

101910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20026,7711.62% of all4,076inspections$579,722current penalties

Citations: 6,771
Inspections: 4,076
Current penalties: $579,722
Initial penalties: $806,896
Share of all citations: 1.62%

1910.215 standard page

111910.3036,5881.57% of all4,435inspections$665,732current penalties

Citations: 6,588
Inspections: 4,435
Current penalties: $665,732
Initial penalties: $949,161
Share of all citations: 1.57%

1910.303 standard page

121910.1066,2761.50% of all3,681inspections$593,065current penalties

Citations: 6,276
Inspections: 3,681
Current penalties: $593,065
Initial penalties: $934,574
Share of all citations: 1.50%

1910.106 standard page

131904.26,1561.47% of all5,241inspections$1,092,805current penalties

Citations: 6,156
Inspections: 5,241
Current penalties: $1,092,805
Initial penalties: $3,121,695
Share of all citations: 1.47%

1904.2 standard page

141910.147The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,8311.39% of all4,101inspections$1,189,161current penalties

Citations: 5,831
Inspections: 4,101
Current penalties: $1,189,161
Initial penalties: $1,663,095
Share of all citations: 1.39%

1910.147 standard page

151910.304Wiring design and protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,7371.37% of all4,425inspections$593,085current penalties

Citations: 5,737
Inspections: 4,425
Current penalties: $593,085
Initial penalties: $852,009
Share of all citations: 1.37%

1910.304 standard page

161903.2Posting of Notices; Availability of the Act, Regulations and Applicable StandardsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,4021.29% of all5,398inspections$95,905current penalties

Citations: 5,402
Inspections: 5,398
Current penalties: $95,905
Initial penalties: $127,470
Share of all citations: 1.29%

1903.2 standard page

171910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,3151.27% of all3,801inspections$142,939current penalties

Citations: 5,315
Inspections: 3,801
Current penalties: $142,939
Initial penalties: $221,077
Share of all citations: 1.27%

1910.157 standard page

181926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on5,0961.22% of all3,750inspections$381,300current penalties

Citations: 5,096
Inspections: 3,750
Current penalties: $381,300
Initial penalties: $528,505
Share of all citations: 1.22%

1926.405 standard page

191910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,0041.19% of all2,342inspections$645,282current penalties

Citations: 5,004
Inspections: 2,342
Current penalties: $645,282
Initial penalties: $940,799
Share of all citations: 1.19%

1910.213 standard page

201910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,2711.02% of all1,610inspections$436,910current penalties

Citations: 4,271
Inspections: 1,610
Current penalties: $436,910
Initial penalties: $685,319
Share of all citations: 1.02%

1910.107 standard page

211910.224,1180.98% of all3,447inspections$371,697current penalties

Citations: 4,118
Inspections: 3,447
Current penalties: $371,697
Initial penalties: $598,811
Share of all citations: 0.98%

1910.22 standard page

221910.23LaddersRewritten 2017; includes earlier text4,1020.98% of all3,019inspections$614,682current penalties

Citations: 4,102
Inspections: 3,019
Current penalties: $614,682
Initial penalties: $888,113
Share of all citations: 0.98%

1910.23 standard page

231910.204,0020.96% of all1,841inspections$54,605current penalties

Citations: 4,002
Inspections: 1,841
Current penalties: $54,605
Initial penalties: $103,818
Share of all citations: 0.96%

1910.20 standard page

241910.252General requirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,8870.93% of all2,556inspections$363,661current penalties

Citations: 3,887
Inspections: 2,556
Current penalties: $363,661
Initial penalties: $558,055
Share of all citations: 0.93%

1910.252 standard page

251926.450Scaffolding - Scope, Application, and DefinitionsCFR title checked from 1997 on3,6990.88% of all2,610inspections$536,293current penalties

Citations: 3,699
Inspections: 2,610
Current penalties: $536,293
Initial penalties: $751,340
Share of all citations: 0.88%

1926.450 standard page

261910.373,5190.84% of all2,557inspections$214,965current penalties

Citations: 3,519
Inspections: 2,557
Current penalties: $214,965
Initial penalties: $300,962
Share of all citations: 0.84%

1910.37 standard page

271910.95Occupational Noise ExposureCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,2560.78% of all1,340inspections$600,174current penalties

Citations: 3,256
Inspections: 1,340
Current penalties: $600,174
Initial penalties: $1,133,378
Share of all citations: 0.78%

1910.95 standard page

281910.1025LeadCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20253,1940.76% of all741inspections$604,301current penalties

Citations: 3,194
Inspections: 741
Current penalties: $604,301
Initial penalties: $1,279,613
Share of all citations: 0.76%

1910.1025 standard page

291926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on3,1150.74% of all1,854inspections$1,152,752current penalties

Citations: 3,115
Inspections: 1,854
Current penalties: $1,152,752
Initial penalties: $1,884,890
Share of all citations: 0.74%

1926.651 standard page

301910.151Medical Services and First AidCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,0450.73% of all2,940inspections$407,875current penalties

Citations: 3,045
Inspections: 2,940
Current penalties: $407,875
Initial penalties: $629,728
Share of all citations: 0.73%

1910.151 standard page

311910.178Powered Industrial TrucksCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,9890.71% of all2,143inspections$402,627current penalties

Citations: 2,989
Inspections: 2,143
Current penalties: $402,627
Initial penalties: $604,096
Share of all citations: 0.71%

1910.178 standard page

321926.1522,8980.69% of all2,359inspections$200,311current penalties

Citations: 2,898
Inspections: 2,359
Current penalties: $200,311
Initial penalties: $273,808
Share of all citations: 0.69%

1926.152 standard page

331926.5502,7500.66% of all1,209inspections$542,687current penalties

Citations: 2,750
Inspections: 1,209
Current penalties: $542,687
Initial penalties: $914,016
Share of all citations: 0.66%

1926.550 standard page

345A0001General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)2,6170.62% of all1,093inspections$7,021,035current penalties

Citations: 2,617
Inspections: 1,093
Current penalties: $7,021,035
Initial penalties: $10,366,557
Share of all citations: 0.62%

351926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsCFR title checked from 1997 on2,6040.62% of all2,097inspections$489,437current penalties

Citations: 2,604
Inspections: 2,097
Current penalties: $489,437
Initial penalties: $738,198
Share of all citations: 0.62%

1926.20 standard page

361926.582,5670.61% of all700inspections$1,061,115current penalties

Citations: 2,567
Inspections: 700
Current penalties: $1,061,115
Initial penalties: $1,874,515
Share of all citations: 0.61%

1926.58 standard page

371926.21Safety Training and EducationCFR title checked from 1997 on2,5450.61% of all2,507inspections$751,424current penalties

Citations: 2,545
Inspections: 2,507
Current penalties: $751,424
Initial penalties: $1,182,706
Share of all citations: 0.61%

1926.21 standard page

381926.50Medical services and first aidCFR title checked from 1997 on2,4890.59% of all2,160inspections$56,423current penalties

Citations: 2,489
Inspections: 2,160
Current penalties: $56,423
Initial penalties: $80,380
Share of all citations: 0.59%

1926.50 standard page

391910.217Mechanical Power PressesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,4050.57% of all869inspections$598,745current penalties

Citations: 2,405
Inspections: 869
Current penalties: $598,745
Initial penalties: $882,464
Share of all citations: 0.57%

1910.217 standard page

401926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesCFR title checked from 1997 on2,3890.57% of all1,934inspections$1,728,818current penalties

Citations: 2,389
Inspections: 1,934
Current penalties: $1,728,818
Initial penalties: $2,838,322
Share of all citations: 0.57%

1926.652 standard page

411926.100Head protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on2,3670.56% of all2,362inspections$513,796current penalties

Citations: 2,367
Inspections: 2,362
Current penalties: $513,796
Initial penalties: $701,659
Share of all citations: 0.56%

1926.100 standard page

421910.132General requirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,3260.56% of all2,228inspections$540,470current penalties

Citations: 2,326
Inspections: 2,228
Current penalties: $540,470
Initial penalties: $843,767
Share of all citations: 0.56%

1910.132 standard page

431926.350Gas Welding and CuttingCFR title checked from 1997 on2,1750.52% of all1,485inspections$259,432current penalties

Citations: 2,175
Inspections: 1,485
Current penalties: $259,432
Initial penalties: $360,965
Share of all citations: 0.52%

1926.350 standard page

441926.602Material Handling EquipmentCFR title checked from 1997 on2,1180.51% of all1,648inspections$285,406current penalties

Citations: 2,118
Inspections: 1,648
Current penalties: $285,406
Initial penalties: $372,795
Share of all citations: 0.51%

1926.602 standard page

451910.141SanitationCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,9360.46% of all1,392inspections$108,066current penalties

Citations: 1,936
Inspections: 1,392
Current penalties: $108,066
Initial penalties: $166,248
Share of all citations: 0.46%

1910.141 standard page

461926.150Fire Protection (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on1,9300.46% of all1,670inspections$87,943current penalties

Citations: 1,930
Inspections: 1,670
Current penalties: $87,943
Initial penalties: $137,955
Share of all citations: 0.46%

1926.150 standard page

471926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on1,9150.46% of all1,661inspections$266,106current penalties

Citations: 1,915
Inspections: 1,661
Current penalties: $266,106
Initial penalties: $364,197
Share of all citations: 0.46%

1926.403 standard page

481926.28Personal Protective EquipmentCFR title checked from 1997 on1,8730.45% of all1,847inspections$601,328current penalties

Citations: 1,873
Inspections: 1,847
Current penalties: $601,328
Initial penalties: $847,016
Share of all citations: 0.45%

1926.28 standard page

491910.133Eye and Face ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,7720.42% of all1,721inspections$289,134current penalties

Citations: 1,772
Inspections: 1,721
Current penalties: $289,134
Initial penalties: $437,500
Share of all citations: 0.42%

1910.133 standard page

501910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,7410.42% of all832inspections$224,401current penalties

Citations: 1,741
Inspections: 832
Current penalties: $224,401
Initial penalties: $378,466
Share of all citations: 0.42%

1910.179 standard page

All citations in this view: 418,998. 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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