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, 1998

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.	15,982	6.08%	8,623	$3,201,877	$1,776,827
2	1926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	10,004	3.81%	4,063	$9,848,194	$5,703,770
3	1910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	9,602	3.65%	5,835	$2,298,389	$1,340,329
4	1926.501Fall Protection - Duty to Have Fall ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	7,506	2.86%	6,357	$9,909,365	$6,206,662
5	1910.147The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,092	2.70%	4,248	$7,832,919	$4,551,832
6	1910.303	6,520	2.48%	4,658	$2,662,458	$1,584,169
7	1910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,179	1.97%	4,138	$6,566,477	$3,956,464
8	1910.132General requirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,004	1.90%	3,481	$2,100,343	$1,194,754
9	1910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,473	1.70%	3,194	$752,801	$395,651
10	1910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,463	1.70%	2,509	$2,463,948	$1,479,034
11	1910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,273	1.63%	2,690	$1,229,927	$715,399
12	1910.134Respiratory ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,612	1.37%	1,915	$1,054,196	$623,279
13	1910.304Wiring design and protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,395	1.29%	2,838	$1,260,334	$726,224
14	1910.23LaddersRewritten effective January 17, 2017. Figures include the earlier text.	3,254	1.24%	2,474	$2,866,542	$1,656,981
15	1910.217Mechanical Power PressesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,175	1.21%	961	$4,154,061	$2,133,427
16	1910.22	3,101	1.18%	2,691	$1,357,474	$729,494
17	1910.146Permit-Required Confined SpacesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,005	1.14%	1,155	$5,000,356	$2,426,186
18	1910.1030Bloodborne PathogensTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2025.	2,838	1.08%	1,193	$2,238,196	$812,500
19	1910.37	2,737	1.04%	2,051	$841,370	$520,379
20	1926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,720	1.04%	2,037	$789,403	$477,079
21	1926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,697	1.03%	1,592	$3,681,794	$2,099,830
22	1910.106	2,623	1.00%	1,709	$1,330,388	$829,262
23	1926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,590	0.99%	2,242	$1,199,936	$734,685
24	1910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,487	0.95%	1,272	$1,326,802	$792,355
25	1910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,460	0.94%	1,000	$1,054,501	$580,523
26	1910.178Powered Industrial TrucksTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,391	0.91%	1,696	$1,938,470	$1,150,359
27	1926.1101AsbestosTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,374	0.90%	473	$4,197,219	$2,457,372
28	1910.95Occupational Noise ExposureTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,284	0.87%	1,096	$1,885,360	$1,050,008
29	1926.1053Ladders (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,228	0.85%	1,699	$1,070,024	$671,034
30	1926.503Fall Protection - Training RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,069	0.79%	1,778	$747,015	$441,987
31	1910.151Medical Services and First AidTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,008	0.76%	1,954	$1,152,223	$668,866
32	1926.100Head protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,990	0.76%	1,988	$1,228,904	$780,749
33	1926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,908	0.73%	1,749	$6,085,798	$3,285,724
34	1926.502Fall Protection Systems Criteria and PracticesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,858	0.71%	1,239	$1,275,398	$792,095
35	1926.59Hazard CommunicationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,829	0.70%	1,021	$144,940	$93,444
36	1926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,566	0.60%	1,341	$1,374,517	$894,215
37	1910.253Oxygen-Fuel Gas Welding and CuttingTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,533	0.58%	1,200	$452,994	$265,821
38	1910.38	1,496	0.57%	1,195	$408,785	$223,222
39	1904.2	1,400	0.53%	1,367	$424,179	$246,254
40	1926.21Safety Training and EducationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,391	0.53%	1,378	$1,427,054	$867,662
41	1926.1052Stairways (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,359	0.52%	1,069	$609,096	$337,647
42	1910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,342	0.51%	661	$909,186	$480,683
43	1910.242Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Equipment, GeneralTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,281	0.49%	1,244	$543,480	$304,507
44	1926.454	1,262	0.48%	1,051	$518,480	$309,288
45	1926.62LeadTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,215	0.46%	261	$1,408,718	$702,561
46	1910.133Eye and Face ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,147	0.44%	1,104	$693,925	$399,075
47	1910.1025LeadTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2025.	1,131	0.43%	351	$1,098,848	$741,529
48	1910.141SanitationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,129	0.43%	814	$206,149	$126,264
49	3203Injury and Illness Prevention ProgramOSHA citation code: 3203 A	1,125	0.43%	1,124	$218,442	$169,459
50	1926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,115	0.42%	978	$554,669	$337,327

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 202515,9826.08% of all8,623inspections$1,776,827current penalties

Citations: 15,982
Inspections: 8,623
Current penalties: $1,776,827
Initial penalties: $3,201,877
Share of all citations: 6.08%

1910.1200 standard page

21926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on10,0043.81% of all4,063inspections$5,703,770current penalties

Citations: 10,004
Inspections: 4,063
Current penalties: $5,703,770
Initial penalties: $9,848,194
Share of all citations: 3.81%

1926.451 standard page

31910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20029,6023.65% of all5,835inspections$1,340,329current penalties

Citations: 9,602
Inspections: 5,835
Current penalties: $1,340,329
Initial penalties: $2,298,389
Share of all citations: 3.65%

1910.305 standard page

41926.501Fall Protection - Duty to Have Fall ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on7,5062.86% of all6,357inspections$6,206,662current penalties

Citations: 7,506
Inspections: 6,357
Current penalties: $6,206,662
Initial penalties: $9,909,365
Share of all citations: 2.86%

1926.501 standard page

51910.147The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,0922.70% of all4,248inspections$4,551,832current penalties

Citations: 7,092
Inspections: 4,248
Current penalties: $4,551,832
Initial penalties: $7,832,919
Share of all citations: 2.70%

1910.147 standard page

61910.3036,5202.48% of all4,658inspections$1,584,169current penalties

Citations: 6,520
Inspections: 4,658
Current penalties: $1,584,169
Initial penalties: $2,662,458
Share of all citations: 2.48%

1910.303 standard page

71910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,1791.97% of all4,138inspections$3,956,464current penalties

Citations: 5,179
Inspections: 4,138
Current penalties: $3,956,464
Initial penalties: $6,566,477
Share of all citations: 1.97%

1910.212 standard page

81910.132General requirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,0041.90% of all3,481inspections$1,194,754current penalties

Citations: 5,004
Inspections: 3,481
Current penalties: $1,194,754
Initial penalties: $2,100,343
Share of all citations: 1.90%

1910.132 standard page

91910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,4731.70% of all3,194inspections$395,651current penalties

Citations: 4,473
Inspections: 3,194
Current penalties: $395,651
Initial penalties: $752,801
Share of all citations: 1.70%

1910.157 standard page

101910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,4631.70% of all2,509inspections$1,479,034current penalties

Citations: 4,463
Inspections: 2,509
Current penalties: $1,479,034
Initial penalties: $2,463,948
Share of all citations: 1.70%

1910.219 standard page

111910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,2731.63% of all2,690inspections$715,399current penalties

Citations: 4,273
Inspections: 2,690
Current penalties: $715,399
Initial penalties: $1,229,927
Share of all citations: 1.63%

1910.215 standard page

121910.134Respiratory ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,6121.37% of all1,915inspections$623,279current penalties

Citations: 3,612
Inspections: 1,915
Current penalties: $623,279
Initial penalties: $1,054,196
Share of all citations: 1.37%

1910.134 standard page

131910.304Wiring design and protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,3951.29% of all2,838inspections$726,224current penalties

Citations: 3,395
Inspections: 2,838
Current penalties: $726,224
Initial penalties: $1,260,334
Share of all citations: 1.29%

1910.304 standard page

141910.23LaddersRewritten 2017; includes earlier text3,2541.24% of all2,474inspections$1,656,981current penalties

Citations: 3,254
Inspections: 2,474
Current penalties: $1,656,981
Initial penalties: $2,866,542
Share of all citations: 1.24%

1910.23 standard page

151910.217Mechanical Power PressesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,1751.21% of all961inspections$2,133,427current penalties

Citations: 3,175
Inspections: 961
Current penalties: $2,133,427
Initial penalties: $4,154,061
Share of all citations: 1.21%

1910.217 standard page

161910.223,1011.18% of all2,691inspections$729,494current penalties

Citations: 3,101
Inspections: 2,691
Current penalties: $729,494
Initial penalties: $1,357,474
Share of all citations: 1.18%

1910.22 standard page

171910.146Permit-Required Confined SpacesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,0051.14% of all1,155inspections$2,426,186current penalties

Citations: 3,005
Inspections: 1,155
Current penalties: $2,426,186
Initial penalties: $5,000,356
Share of all citations: 1.14%

1910.146 standard page

181910.1030Bloodborne PathogensCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20252,8381.08% of all1,193inspections$812,500current penalties

Citations: 2,838
Inspections: 1,193
Current penalties: $812,500
Initial penalties: $2,238,196
Share of all citations: 1.08%

1910.1030 standard page

191910.372,7371.04% of all2,051inspections$520,379current penalties

Citations: 2,737
Inspections: 2,051
Current penalties: $520,379
Initial penalties: $841,370
Share of all citations: 1.04%

1910.37 standard page

201926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,7201.04% of all2,037inspections$477,079current penalties

Citations: 2,720
Inspections: 2,037
Current penalties: $477,079
Initial penalties: $789,403
Share of all citations: 1.04%

1926.405 standard page

211926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on2,6971.03% of all1,592inspections$2,099,830current penalties

Citations: 2,697
Inspections: 1,592
Current penalties: $2,099,830
Initial penalties: $3,681,794
Share of all citations: 1.03%

1926.651 standard page

221910.1062,6231.00% of all1,709inspections$829,262current penalties

Citations: 2,623
Inspections: 1,709
Current penalties: $829,262
Initial penalties: $1,330,388
Share of all citations: 1.00%

1910.106 standard page

231926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,5900.99% of all2,242inspections$734,685current penalties

Citations: 2,590
Inspections: 2,242
Current penalties: $734,685
Initial penalties: $1,199,936
Share of all citations: 0.99%

1926.404 standard page

241910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,4870.95% of all1,272inspections$792,355current penalties

Citations: 2,487
Inspections: 1,272
Current penalties: $792,355
Initial penalties: $1,326,802
Share of all citations: 0.95%

1910.213 standard page

251910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,4600.94% of all1,000inspections$580,523current penalties

Citations: 2,460
Inspections: 1,000
Current penalties: $580,523
Initial penalties: $1,054,501
Share of all citations: 0.94%

1910.107 standard page

261910.178Powered Industrial TrucksCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,3910.91% of all1,696inspections$1,150,359current penalties

Citations: 2,391
Inspections: 1,696
Current penalties: $1,150,359
Initial penalties: $1,938,470
Share of all citations: 0.91%

1910.178 standard page

271926.1101AsbestosCFR title checked from 1997 on2,3740.90% of all473inspections$2,457,372current penalties

Citations: 2,374
Inspections: 473
Current penalties: $2,457,372
Initial penalties: $4,197,219
Share of all citations: 0.90%

1926.1101 standard page

281910.95Occupational Noise ExposureCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,2840.87% of all1,096inspections$1,050,008current penalties

Citations: 2,284
Inspections: 1,096
Current penalties: $1,050,008
Initial penalties: $1,885,360
Share of all citations: 0.87%

1910.95 standard page

291926.1053Ladders (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,2280.85% of all1,699inspections$671,034current penalties

Citations: 2,228
Inspections: 1,699
Current penalties: $671,034
Initial penalties: $1,070,024
Share of all citations: 0.85%

1926.1053 standard page

301926.503Fall Protection - Training RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on2,0690.79% of all1,778inspections$441,987current penalties

Citations: 2,069
Inspections: 1,778
Current penalties: $441,987
Initial penalties: $747,015
Share of all citations: 0.79%

1926.503 standard page

311910.151Medical Services and First AidCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,0080.76% of all1,954inspections$668,866current penalties

Citations: 2,008
Inspections: 1,954
Current penalties: $668,866
Initial penalties: $1,152,223
Share of all citations: 0.76%

1910.151 standard page

321926.100Head protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on1,9900.76% of all1,988inspections$780,749current penalties

Citations: 1,990
Inspections: 1,988
Current penalties: $780,749
Initial penalties: $1,228,904
Share of all citations: 0.76%

1926.100 standard page

331926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesCFR title checked from 1997 on1,9080.73% of all1,749inspections$3,285,724current penalties

Citations: 1,908
Inspections: 1,749
Current penalties: $3,285,724
Initial penalties: $6,085,798
Share of all citations: 0.73%

1926.652 standard page

341926.502Fall Protection Systems Criteria and PracticesCFR title checked from 1997 on1,8580.71% of all1,239inspections$792,095current penalties

Citations: 1,858
Inspections: 1,239
Current penalties: $792,095
Initial penalties: $1,275,398
Share of all citations: 0.71%

1926.502 standard page

351926.59Hazard CommunicationCFR title checked from 1997 on1,8290.70% of all1,021inspections$93,444current penalties

Citations: 1,829
Inspections: 1,021
Current penalties: $93,444
Initial penalties: $144,940
Share of all citations: 0.70%

1926.59 standard page

361926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsCFR title checked from 1997 on1,5660.60% of all1,341inspections$894,215current penalties

Citations: 1,566
Inspections: 1,341
Current penalties: $894,215
Initial penalties: $1,374,517
Share of all citations: 0.60%

1926.20 standard page

371910.253Oxygen-Fuel Gas Welding and CuttingCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,5330.58% of all1,200inspections$265,821current penalties

Citations: 1,533
Inspections: 1,200
Current penalties: $265,821
Initial penalties: $452,994
Share of all citations: 0.58%

1910.253 standard page

381910.381,4960.57% of all1,195inspections$223,222current penalties

Citations: 1,496
Inspections: 1,195
Current penalties: $223,222
Initial penalties: $408,785
Share of all citations: 0.57%

1910.38 standard page

391904.21,4000.53% of all1,367inspections$246,254current penalties

Citations: 1,400
Inspections: 1,367
Current penalties: $246,254
Initial penalties: $424,179
Share of all citations: 0.53%

1904.2 standard page

401926.21Safety Training and EducationCFR title checked from 1997 on1,3910.53% of all1,378inspections$867,662current penalties

Citations: 1,391
Inspections: 1,378
Current penalties: $867,662
Initial penalties: $1,427,054
Share of all citations: 0.53%

1926.21 standard page

411926.1052Stairways (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on1,3590.52% of all1,069inspections$337,647current penalties

Citations: 1,359
Inspections: 1,069
Current penalties: $337,647
Initial penalties: $609,096
Share of all citations: 0.52%

1926.1052 standard page

421910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,3420.51% of all661inspections$480,683current penalties

Citations: 1,342
Inspections: 661
Current penalties: $480,683
Initial penalties: $909,186
Share of all citations: 0.51%

1910.179 standard page

431910.242Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Equipment, GeneralCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,2810.49% of all1,244inspections$304,507current penalties

Citations: 1,281
Inspections: 1,244
Current penalties: $304,507
Initial penalties: $543,480
Share of all citations: 0.49%

1910.242 standard page

441926.4541,2620.48% of all1,051inspections$309,288current penalties

Citations: 1,262
Inspections: 1,051
Current penalties: $309,288
Initial penalties: $518,480
Share of all citations: 0.48%

1926.454 standard page

451926.62LeadCFR title checked from 1997 on1,2150.46% of all261inspections$702,561current penalties

Citations: 1,215
Inspections: 261
Current penalties: $702,561
Initial penalties: $1,408,718
Share of all citations: 0.46%

1926.62 standard page

461910.133Eye and Face ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,1470.44% of all1,104inspections$399,075current penalties

Citations: 1,147
Inspections: 1,104
Current penalties: $399,075
Initial penalties: $693,925
Share of all citations: 0.44%

1910.133 standard page

471910.1025LeadCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20251,1310.43% of all351inspections$741,529current penalties

Citations: 1,131
Inspections: 351
Current penalties: $741,529
Initial penalties: $1,098,848
Share of all citations: 0.43%

1910.1025 standard page

481910.141SanitationCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,1290.43% of all814inspections$126,264current penalties

Citations: 1,129
Inspections: 814
Current penalties: $126,264
Initial penalties: $206,149
Share of all citations: 0.43%

1910.141 standard page

493203Injury and Illness Prevention ProgramOSHA citation code: 3203 A1,1250.43% of all1,124inspections$169,459current penalties

Citations: 1,125
Inspections: 1,124
Current penalties: $169,459
Initial penalties: $218,442
Share of all citations: 0.43%

501926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on1,1150.42% of all978inspections$337,327current penalties

Citations: 1,115
Inspections: 978
Current penalties: $337,327
Initial penalties: $554,669
Share of all citations: 0.42%

1926.403 standard page

All citations in this view: 262,737. 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

OSHA standards by number · Penalty amounts · File a complaint

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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