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, 1999

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.	15,011	5.77%	8,305	$3,402,670	$2,077,371
2	1926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	10,963	4.21%	4,179	$11,736,681	$7,370,901
3	1910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	9,043	3.48%	5,413	$2,435,972	$1,429,242
4	1926.501Fall Protection - Duty to Have Fall ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	7,527	2.89%	6,437	$12,255,712	$8,131,450
5	1910.134Respiratory ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	7,490	2.88%	3,318	$2,040,931	$1,162,137
6	1910.147The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	6,970	2.68%	4,216	$8,604,193	$4,942,445
7	1910.303	6,493	2.50%	4,628	$3,195,808	$1,934,873
8	1910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	5,029	1.93%	4,042	$7,655,967	$4,641,684
9	1910.132General requirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,553	1.75%	3,281	$2,309,581	$1,395,574
10	1910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,378	1.68%	2,428	$3,071,374	$1,811,942
11	1910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	4,225	1.62%	3,005	$680,257	$383,353
12	1910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,862	1.48%	2,437	$1,358,236	$809,266
13	1910.23LaddersRewritten effective January 17, 2017. Figures include the earlier text.	3,315	1.27%	2,517	$3,229,291	$1,817,262
14	1910.304Wiring design and protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	3,230	1.24%	2,741	$1,224,251	$733,283
15	1910.146Permit-Required Confined SpacesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,910	1.12%	1,198	$2,463,974	$1,499,910
16	1910.22	2,860	1.10%	2,502	$1,317,043	$877,770
17	1910.1030Bloodborne PathogensTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2025.	2,801	1.08%	1,218	$1,808,671	$1,027,596
18	1910.217Mechanical Power PressesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,766	1.06%	854	$3,160,194	$1,720,253
19	1926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,757	1.06%	1,681	$3,940,495	$2,425,006
20	1926.1101AsbestosTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,587	0.99%	522	$2,895,721	$1,825,209
21	1926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,535	0.97%	1,813	$788,752	$466,084
22	1910.37	2,525	0.97%	1,910	$978,924	$541,656
23	1910.178Powered Industrial TrucksTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,412	0.93%	1,680	$2,119,307	$1,232,461
24	1910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,364	0.91%	933	$979,467	$589,135
25	1910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,342	0.90%	1,221	$1,354,540	$815,338
26	1926.1053Ladders (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,309	0.89%	1,751	$1,252,968	$785,358
27	1926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,302	0.88%	1,942	$1,158,253	$707,393
28	1910.106	2,265	0.87%	1,484	$1,362,617	$853,930
29	1910.95Occupational Noise ExposureTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	2,175	0.84%	1,094	$1,748,306	$981,809
30	1926.503Fall Protection - Training RequirementsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,149	0.83%	1,843	$1,169,328	$662,682
31	1926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,077	0.80%	1,718	$1,760,911	$975,477
32	1926.100Head protectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	2,050	0.79%	2,046	$1,579,900	$1,042,113
33	1926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,980	0.76%	1,826	$6,605,896	$4,069,736
34	1910.151Medical Services and First AidTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,931	0.74%	1,881	$1,341,130	$767,593
35	1926.502Fall Protection Systems Criteria and PracticesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,915	0.74%	1,276	$1,854,273	$1,031,174
36	1910.253Oxygen-Fuel Gas Welding and CuttingTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,596	0.61%	1,216	$583,050	$359,900
37	1926.21Safety Training and EducationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,525	0.59%	1,507	$1,982,478	$1,144,123
38	1926.454	1,517	0.58%	1,293	$803,991	$506,867
39	1904.2	1,475	0.57%	1,440	$747,861	$528,587
40	1926.1052Stairways (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,304	0.50%	1,012	$617,062	$408,571
41	1926.59Hazard CommunicationTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,240	0.48%	674	$110,710	$77,941
42	3203Injury and Illness Prevention ProgramOSHA citation code: 3203 A	1,225	0.47%	1,224	$239,045	$187,895
43	1910.38	1,210	0.47%	1,024	$311,088	$184,870
44	1910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,145	0.44%	602	$1,458,078	$779,646
45	5A0001General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)	1,121	0.43%	963	$3,774,984	$2,344,763
46	1910.242Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Equipment, GeneralTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,120	0.43%	1,095	$583,028	$364,909
47	1926.452Additional Requirements for Specific Scaffold TypesTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,102	0.42%	920	$591,267	$359,299
48	1926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,080	0.42%	950	$531,408	$337,299
49	1910.133Eye and Face ProtectionTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on, except 2002.	1,074	0.41%	1,029	$659,095	$365,450
50	1926.62LeadTitle checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.	1,041	0.40%	224	$1,004,620	$577,868

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 202515,0115.77% of all8,305inspections$2,077,371current penalties

Citations: 15,011
Inspections: 8,305
Current penalties: $2,077,371
Initial penalties: $3,402,670
Share of all citations: 5.77%

1910.1200 standard page

21926.451Scaffolding - General RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on10,9634.21% of all4,179inspections$7,370,901current penalties

Citations: 10,963
Inspections: 4,179
Current penalties: $7,370,901
Initial penalties: $11,736,681
Share of all citations: 4.21%

1926.451 standard page

31910.305Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general useCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20029,0433.48% of all5,413inspections$1,429,242current penalties

Citations: 9,043
Inspections: 5,413
Current penalties: $1,429,242
Initial penalties: $2,435,972
Share of all citations: 3.48%

1910.305 standard page

41926.501Fall Protection - Duty to Have Fall ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on7,5272.89% of all6,437inspections$8,131,450current penalties

Citations: 7,527
Inspections: 6,437
Current penalties: $8,131,450
Initial penalties: $12,255,712
Share of all citations: 2.89%

1926.501 standard page

51910.134Respiratory ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20027,4902.88% of all3,318inspections$1,162,137current penalties

Citations: 7,490
Inspections: 3,318
Current penalties: $1,162,137
Initial penalties: $2,040,931
Share of all citations: 2.88%

1910.134 standard page

61910.147The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20026,9702.68% of all4,216inspections$4,942,445current penalties

Citations: 6,970
Inspections: 4,216
Current penalties: $4,942,445
Initial penalties: $8,604,193
Share of all citations: 2.68%

1910.147 standard page

71910.3036,4932.50% of all4,628inspections$1,934,873current penalties

Citations: 6,493
Inspections: 4,628
Current penalties: $1,934,873
Initial penalties: $3,195,808
Share of all citations: 2.50%

1910.303 standard page

81910.212General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding)CFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20025,0291.93% of all4,042inspections$4,641,684current penalties

Citations: 5,029
Inspections: 4,042
Current penalties: $4,641,684
Initial penalties: $7,655,967
Share of all citations: 1.93%

1910.212 standard page

91910.132General requirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,5531.75% of all3,281inspections$1,395,574current penalties

Citations: 4,553
Inspections: 3,281
Current penalties: $1,395,574
Initial penalties: $2,309,581
Share of all citations: 1.75%

1910.132 standard page

101910.219Mechanical Power-Transmission ApparatusCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,3781.68% of all2,428inspections$1,811,942current penalties

Citations: 4,378
Inspections: 2,428
Current penalties: $1,811,942
Initial penalties: $3,071,374
Share of all citations: 1.68%

1910.219 standard page

111910.157Portable Fire ExtinguishersCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20024,2251.62% of all3,005inspections$383,353current penalties

Citations: 4,225
Inspections: 3,005
Current penalties: $383,353
Initial penalties: $680,257
Share of all citations: 1.62%

1910.157 standard page

121910.215Abrasive Wheel MachineryCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,8621.48% of all2,437inspections$809,266current penalties

Citations: 3,862
Inspections: 2,437
Current penalties: $809,266
Initial penalties: $1,358,236
Share of all citations: 1.48%

1910.215 standard page

131910.23LaddersRewritten 2017; includes earlier text3,3151.27% of all2,517inspections$1,817,262current penalties

Citations: 3,315
Inspections: 2,517
Current penalties: $1,817,262
Initial penalties: $3,229,291
Share of all citations: 1.27%

1910.23 standard page

141910.304Wiring design and protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20023,2301.24% of all2,741inspections$733,283current penalties

Citations: 3,230
Inspections: 2,741
Current penalties: $733,283
Initial penalties: $1,224,251
Share of all citations: 1.24%

1910.304 standard page

151910.146Permit-Required Confined SpacesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,9101.12% of all1,198inspections$1,499,910current penalties

Citations: 2,910
Inspections: 1,198
Current penalties: $1,499,910
Initial penalties: $2,463,974
Share of all citations: 1.12%

1910.146 standard page

161910.222,8601.10% of all2,502inspections$877,770current penalties

Citations: 2,860
Inspections: 2,502
Current penalties: $877,770
Initial penalties: $1,317,043
Share of all citations: 1.10%

1910.22 standard page

171910.1030Bloodborne PathogensCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20252,8011.08% of all1,218inspections$1,027,596current penalties

Citations: 2,801
Inspections: 1,218
Current penalties: $1,027,596
Initial penalties: $1,808,671
Share of all citations: 1.08%

1910.1030 standard page

181910.217Mechanical Power PressesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,7661.06% of all854inspections$1,720,253current penalties

Citations: 2,766
Inspections: 854
Current penalties: $1,720,253
Initial penalties: $3,160,194
Share of all citations: 1.06%

1910.217 standard page

191926.651Excavations - Specific Excavation RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on2,7571.06% of all1,681inspections$2,425,006current penalties

Citations: 2,757
Inspections: 1,681
Current penalties: $2,425,006
Initial penalties: $3,940,495
Share of all citations: 1.06%

1926.651 standard page

201926.1101AsbestosCFR title checked from 1997 on2,5870.99% of all522inspections$1,825,209current penalties

Citations: 2,587
Inspections: 522
Current penalties: $1,825,209
Initial penalties: $2,895,721
Share of all citations: 0.99%

1926.1101 standard page

211926.405Electrical - Wiring Methods (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,5350.97% of all1,813inspections$466,084current penalties

Citations: 2,535
Inspections: 1,813
Current penalties: $466,084
Initial penalties: $788,752
Share of all citations: 0.97%

1926.405 standard page

221910.372,5250.97% of all1,910inspections$541,656current penalties

Citations: 2,525
Inspections: 1,910
Current penalties: $541,656
Initial penalties: $978,924
Share of all citations: 0.97%

1910.37 standard page

231910.178Powered Industrial TrucksCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,4120.93% of all1,680inspections$1,232,461current penalties

Citations: 2,412
Inspections: 1,680
Current penalties: $1,232,461
Initial penalties: $2,119,307
Share of all citations: 0.93%

1910.178 standard page

241910.107Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible MaterialsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,3640.91% of all933inspections$589,135current penalties

Citations: 2,364
Inspections: 933
Current penalties: $589,135
Initial penalties: $979,467
Share of all citations: 0.91%

1910.107 standard page

251910.213Woodworking Machinery RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,3420.90% of all1,221inspections$815,338current penalties

Citations: 2,342
Inspections: 1,221
Current penalties: $815,338
Initial penalties: $1,354,540
Share of all citations: 0.90%

1910.213 standard page

261926.1053Ladders (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,3090.89% of all1,751inspections$785,358current penalties

Citations: 2,309
Inspections: 1,751
Current penalties: $785,358
Initial penalties: $1,252,968
Share of all citations: 0.89%

1926.1053 standard page

271926.404Electrical - Wiring Design and Protection (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on2,3020.88% of all1,942inspections$707,393current penalties

Citations: 2,302
Inspections: 1,942
Current penalties: $707,393
Initial penalties: $1,158,253
Share of all citations: 0.88%

1926.404 standard page

281910.1062,2650.87% of all1,484inspections$853,930current penalties

Citations: 2,265
Inspections: 1,484
Current penalties: $853,930
Initial penalties: $1,362,617
Share of all citations: 0.87%

1910.106 standard page

291910.95Occupational Noise ExposureCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20022,1750.84% of all1,094inspections$981,809current penalties

Citations: 2,175
Inspections: 1,094
Current penalties: $981,809
Initial penalties: $1,748,306
Share of all citations: 0.84%

1910.95 standard page

301926.503Fall Protection - Training RequirementsCFR title checked from 1997 on2,1490.83% of all1,843inspections$662,682current penalties

Citations: 2,149
Inspections: 1,843
Current penalties: $662,682
Initial penalties: $1,169,328
Share of all citations: 0.83%

1926.503 standard page

311926.20General Safety and Health ProvisionsCFR title checked from 1997 on2,0770.80% of all1,718inspections$975,477current penalties

Citations: 2,077
Inspections: 1,718
Current penalties: $975,477
Initial penalties: $1,760,911
Share of all citations: 0.80%

1926.20 standard page

321926.100Head protectionCFR title checked from 1997 on2,0500.79% of all2,046inspections$1,042,113current penalties

Citations: 2,050
Inspections: 2,046
Current penalties: $1,042,113
Initial penalties: $1,579,900
Share of all citations: 0.79%

1926.100 standard page

331926.652Excavations - Protection of EmployeesCFR title checked from 1997 on1,9800.76% of all1,826inspections$4,069,736current penalties

Citations: 1,980
Inspections: 1,826
Current penalties: $4,069,736
Initial penalties: $6,605,896
Share of all citations: 0.76%

1926.652 standard page

341910.151Medical Services and First AidCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,9310.74% of all1,881inspections$767,593current penalties

Citations: 1,931
Inspections: 1,881
Current penalties: $767,593
Initial penalties: $1,341,130
Share of all citations: 0.74%

1910.151 standard page

351926.502Fall Protection Systems Criteria and PracticesCFR title checked from 1997 on1,9150.74% of all1,276inspections$1,031,174current penalties

Citations: 1,915
Inspections: 1,276
Current penalties: $1,031,174
Initial penalties: $1,854,273
Share of all citations: 0.74%

1926.502 standard page

361910.253Oxygen-Fuel Gas Welding and CuttingCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,5960.61% of all1,216inspections$359,900current penalties

Citations: 1,596
Inspections: 1,216
Current penalties: $359,900
Initial penalties: $583,050
Share of all citations: 0.61%

1910.253 standard page

371926.21Safety Training and EducationCFR title checked from 1997 on1,5250.59% of all1,507inspections$1,144,123current penalties

Citations: 1,525
Inspections: 1,507
Current penalties: $1,144,123
Initial penalties: $1,982,478
Share of all citations: 0.59%

1926.21 standard page

381926.4541,5170.58% of all1,293inspections$506,867current penalties

Citations: 1,517
Inspections: 1,293
Current penalties: $506,867
Initial penalties: $803,991
Share of all citations: 0.58%

1926.454 standard page

391904.21,4750.57% of all1,440inspections$528,587current penalties

Citations: 1,475
Inspections: 1,440
Current penalties: $528,587
Initial penalties: $747,861
Share of all citations: 0.57%

1904.2 standard page

401926.1052Stairways (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on1,3040.50% of all1,012inspections$408,571current penalties

Citations: 1,304
Inspections: 1,012
Current penalties: $408,571
Initial penalties: $617,062
Share of all citations: 0.50%

1926.1052 standard page

411926.59Hazard CommunicationCFR title checked from 1997 on1,2400.48% of all674inspections$77,941current penalties

Citations: 1,240
Inspections: 674
Current penalties: $77,941
Initial penalties: $110,710
Share of all citations: 0.48%

1926.59 standard page

423203Injury and Illness Prevention ProgramOSHA citation code: 3203 A1,2250.47% of all1,224inspections$187,895current penalties

Citations: 1,225
Inspections: 1,224
Current penalties: $187,895
Initial penalties: $239,045
Share of all citations: 0.47%

431910.381,2100.47% of all1,024inspections$184,870current penalties

Citations: 1,210
Inspections: 1,024
Current penalties: $184,870
Initial penalties: $311,088
Share of all citations: 0.47%

1910.38 standard page

441910.179Overhead and Gantry CranesCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,1450.44% of all602inspections$779,646current penalties

Citations: 1,145
Inspections: 602
Current penalties: $779,646
Initial penalties: $1,458,078
Share of all citations: 0.44%

1910.179 standard page

455A0001General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)1,1210.43% of all963inspections$2,344,763current penalties

Citations: 1,121
Inspections: 963
Current penalties: $2,344,763
Initial penalties: $3,774,984
Share of all citations: 0.43%

461910.242Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Equipment, GeneralCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,1200.43% of all1,095inspections$364,909current penalties

Citations: 1,120
Inspections: 1,095
Current penalties: $364,909
Initial penalties: $583,028
Share of all citations: 0.43%

1910.242 standard page

471926.452Additional Requirements for Specific Scaffold TypesCFR title checked from 1997 on1,1020.42% of all920inspections$359,299current penalties

Citations: 1,102
Inspections: 920
Current penalties: $359,299
Initial penalties: $591,267
Share of all citations: 0.42%

1926.452 standard page

481926.403Electrical - General Requirements (Construction)CFR title checked from 1997 on1,0800.42% of all950inspections$337,299current penalties

Citations: 1,080
Inspections: 950
Current penalties: $337,299
Initial penalties: $531,408
Share of all citations: 0.42%

1926.403 standard page

491910.133Eye and Face ProtectionCFR title checked from 1997 on, except 20021,0740.41% of all1,029inspections$365,450current penalties

Citations: 1,074
Inspections: 1,029
Current penalties: $365,450
Initial penalties: $659,095
Share of all citations: 0.41%

1910.133 standard page

501926.62LeadCFR title checked from 1997 on1,0410.40% of all224inspections$577,868current penalties

Citations: 1,041
Inspections: 224
Current penalties: $577,868
Initial penalties: $1,004,620
Share of all citations: 0.40%

1926.62 standard page

All citations in this view: 260,182. 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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