Every employer, regardless of size or industry, has a fundamental responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. Doing so requires implementing effective programs and systems to identify, control, and prevent occupational hazards.

Navigating the complex framework of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) regulations – spanning federal, state and local jurisdictions – can be challenging. Non-compliance can lead to costly fines, higher insurance premiums, legal exposure, and, most critically, serious injuries and fatalities.

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its list of the most frequently citied workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2025. These citations highlight persistent areas of risk across U.S. workplaces.

Proactively addressing these hazards through robust safety programs, regular employee training, and a strong culture of health and safety is essential to both regulatory compliance and worker well-being.

RHP’s Expertise in Workplace Safety

RHP Risk Management’s BGC/ABIH-certified industrial hygiene professionals specialize in identifying, preventing, and controlling workplace hazards to help organizations stay compliant and safe.

Many of OSHA’s Top 10 citations can be avoided through the development and implementation of a comprehensive Health and Safety Program. Within manufacturing and industrial environments, OSHA mandates several key plans, including:

• Emergency Action Plans
• Fire Prevention Plans
• Personal Protective Equipment Procedures
• Control of Hazardous Energy / Lockout-Tagout (LOTO)
• Machine Guarding

OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs serve as a valuable blueprint for establishing or improving such programs. These guidelines emphasize seven core elements: management leadership; worker participation; hazard identification and assessment; hazard prevention and control; education and training; program evaluation and improvement; and communication and coordination.

Below are OSHA’s top citations along with RHP’s related services to help mitigate violations.

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,914 violations
   • Thorough evaluations and mapping of workplace environments can significantly reduce the risk of falls from platforms, elevated workstations, or through floor and wall openings. Preventive measures include guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems, and protections against falling objects.
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,546 violations
   • Employers handling hazardous chemicals must maintain a written hazard communication program, ensure chemical labeling, provide accessible Safety Data Sheets, and train employees on chemical hazards in compliance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
3. Ladder Safety (1926.1053): 2,405 violations
   • Falls often result from improper ladder selection, setup, or use. Employers should provide proper training, adhere to ladder placement requirements, and apply best practice guidance and resources OSHA and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) best-practice guidance.
4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,177 violations
   • The Control of Hazardous Energy standard requires energy-control procedures to protect employees from unexpected machine start-ups or releases of hazardous energy. Employers must implement written lockout/tagout programs and provide hands-on training.
5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 1,953 violations
   • Employers must evaluate workplace air quality, select appropriate respiratory protection, and implement a written program that includes fit-testing, medical evaluations, and training.
6. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,907 violations
   • Employers should provide a training program for each employee who may be exposed to fall hazards. The program must equip employees with the ability to identify fall risks and provide instruction on appropriate procedures to mitigate those hazards. Fall protection may include guardrails on walkways, pits, and roofs, structurally sound walking surfaces, safety net systems.
7. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,905 violations
   • Common causes of scaffold incidents include improper construction, missing guardrails, lack of training, and unstable work surfaces. Employers must ensure scaffolds are properly designed, erected, and maintained with adequate fall protection.
8. Forklifts and Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,826 violations
   • Forklift safety depends on operator training, adherence to inspection protocols, and awareness of environmental conditions affecting safe operation.
9. Personal Protective & Lifesaving Equipment: Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,665 violations
   • Employers must provide and train workers to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard against chemical, radiological, and mechanical hazards.
10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,239 violations
    • Machinery such as presses, saws, and milling machines must include guards to protect operators from rotating parts, flying debris, and nip points. Safeguards—physical barriers, sensors, and distance guards—are critical to prevent severe injuries.
    • Learn more on OSHA’s machine guarding requirements, the importance of machine guarding and recommendations to ensure your workplace is in compliance with OSHA standard 1010.212.

Through comprehensive risk assessments and data-driven strategies, RHP’s Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) and Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs) strengthen existing Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs—or help organizations build new ones.

RHP partners with clients to:

• Evaluate site-specific occupational hazards
• Translate findings into actionable, measurable risk-reduction strategies
• Implement, train, and audit safety programs for OSHA and ANSI compliance
• Conduct facility audits and gap analyses
• Develop tailored training programs and ongoing EHS support

To discuss how RHP can help you strengthen your workplace safety program, contact RHP Risk Management by calling (866) 481-8188.