Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2020

May 12, 2021

A look at the biggest problem areas in workplaces as reflected in OSHA citations of standard violations.

For the 10th consecutive year, the most frequently cited violation of OSHA standards is fall protection, indicating that despite all of the protocols, procedures and equipment in place to protect workers from falls, this is still a major workplace issue.

In its reveal of the top 10 safety violations of 2020 (which for OSHA's fiscal year encompasses October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020), the agency noted that while the order these standards appear on the list changed somewhat since the previous year, it's the same 10 from 2019, according to Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs.

OSHA suggests that employers use this Top 10 list as a guide to what they should focus on in their workplaces.

About the Author

Dave Blanchard | Editor-in-Chief / Senior Director of Content

During his career Dave Blanchard has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. Prior to joining Endeavor/Informa/Penton, he spent a decade covering the artificial intelligence industry. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.