What OSHA’s 2025 Top Violations Reveal About Construction Safety Around the Country and in the New York City Region

You’ve seen it before: a worker climbs, a ladder wobbles, or a scaffold isn’t right, and suddenly there’s a crash, a fall, and a severe injury. OSHA’s preliminary enforcement data for the 2025 fiscal year confirms what many safety professionals already know: the same safety hazards that have plagued construction for years are still hurting construction workers.

OSHA’s Top 10 most frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2025, released at the National Safety Council’s annual Safety Congress & Expo, show that safety violations remain serious risks on job sites nationwide and in the New York City region.

OSHA violations aren’t just academic. They reflect real hazards that can cost you your safety, your ability to work, and even your life. At Hofmann & Schweitzer, our experienced New Jersey and New York construction accident lawyers represent injured construction workers after serious accidents. 

OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations in 2025

OSHA’s preliminary list of the most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2025 reveals that familiar dangers continue to lead enforcement actions. Many of the top citations fall under construction-specific regulations, especially those related to fall protection and equipment safety. While overall citations are slightly down compared to FY 2024, these ten violations account for tens of thousands of workplace hazards.

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501)

This standard topped OSHA’s list once again, with 5,914 citations issued between October 1, 2024, and August 12, 2025. It addresses employers’ responsibilities to protect workers from falling off unprotected edges, roofs, scaffolds, and other elevated surfaces. OSHA cited numerous job sites, particularly in the construction industry, for failing to provide guardrails, personal fall arrest systems, or covers where required. The contractors with the most violations included roofing, framing, siding, new single-family housing construction, and commercial and institutional building.

2. Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)

The HazCom standard requires employers to classify chemicals, maintain safety data sheets, and ensure that proper labeling and training are provided. With 2,546 violations in FY 2025, many employers were cited for failure to train workers on hazardous chemicals or not maintaining proper labeling on containers. This general industry standard applies across sectors, including construction, where paints, adhesives, and solvents are frequently used. Roofing contractors were the most cited industry for this type of violation.

3. Ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053)

OSHA issued 2,405 citations for unsafe ladder use, primarily in the construction industry. Violations include using the wrong type of ladder, broken rungs, standing on top steps, and failing to secure ladders properly. This standard applies to both portable and fixed ladders. Roofing, framing, siding, new single-family housing, and residential remodeler contractors were frequently cited for safety violations.

4. Lockout/Tagout – Control of Hazardous Energy (29 CFR 1910.147)

OSHA cited 2,177 violations of the Lockout/Tagout standard in FY 2025, reflecting serious lapses in preventing accidental energization of machines during maintenance. This standard applies primarily to general industry but has broad relevance wherever powered equipment is serviced or repaired. 

5. Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134)

This standard saw 1,953 citations, with many violations involving a lack of medical evaluations, fit testing, or proper respirator selection. In industries where dust, fumes, or airborne contaminants are present, respiratory protection programs are required. OSHA cited employers for failing to develop written programs or provide adequate training. In construction, especially demolition or renovation work, respiratory hazards are common. Masonry contractors were often cited for respiratory protection violations.

6. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)

OSHA issued 1,907 citations under this training-specific standard, which requires employers to train workers exposed to fall hazards. Violations often stem from employers failing to verify that training was conducted by a competent person or not maintaining certification records. This standard is often cited in conjunction with 1926.501 when fall incidents occur. The contractors with the most violations of this standard included those involved in roofing, framing, siding, new single-family housing construction, and commercial and institutional building.

7. Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451)

With 1,905 citations, scaffolding violations remain a significant source of injuries on construction sites. OSHA found improperly constructed platforms, missing guardrails, and unsecured access points. Workers are at serious risk when scaffolds are not built, inspected, or used in accordance with OSHA guidelines. The types of contractors with the most scaffolding safety violations included masonry, framing, siding, roofing, and commercial and institutional building.

8. Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178)

This standard, covering forklifts and similar vehicles, resulted in 1,826 citations in FY 2025. Violations include improper training, unsafe operation, and failure to inspect equipment. While it is primarily a general industry standard, it also applies to construction supply yards and mixed-use job sites. Forklift tip-overs, pedestrian strikes, and crush injuries are among the risks OSHA aims to mitigate with this standard. Framing contractors were among those with the most violations of this section.

9. Eye and Face Protection (29 CFR 1926.102)

OSHA recorded 1,665 violations for failure to provide or require appropriate eye and face protection. In construction, this may include not using goggles or face shields during cutting, grinding, welding, or chemical handling. Employers were cited for both failing to provide PPE and for not enforcing its use when workers did not wear it. These hazards may not always result in fatalities, but they can cause permanent vision loss or disfigurement. The contractors with the most violations of this standard included roofing, framing, siding, masonry, and new single-family construction.

10. Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212)

The final entry in OSHA’s Top 10 for FY 2025 saw 1,239 citations for failing to guard machinery that could cause lacerations, amputations, or crushing injuries. Machine guarding violations were common in manufacturing, but also relevant on construction sites. OSHA cited missing barrier guards, inadequate anchoring, and failure to prevent workers from accessing dangerous machine parts.

How 2025 OSHA Violations Compare With 2024 OSHA Violations

The same ten standards were cited in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, although their order changed slightly. Below is a comparison of OSHA violations in 2024 and 2025:

Top 10 Most Cited Violations in OSHA’s New York City Region

The New York City region, which includes New Jersey, had the same top 10 violations as the nation. However, the order of those violations was different. How’s how the New York City region compared to the nation in FY 2025:

What This Means for New York and New Jersey Construction Workers

OSHA’s 2025 Top 10 most-cited violations remind us of a simple truth: many serious injuries and deaths are preventable. Ignoring safety standards costs far more than fines. It costs lives.

If you’ve been hurt or your loved one has died in a New York or New Jersey construction accident, you have the right to consult with an experienced construction accident lawyer who will fight hard to protect your rights.