The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA in fiscal year 2016 (October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016):

  1. Fall protection, construction (6,906)
  2. Hazard communication standard, general industry (5,665)
  3. Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (3,900)
  4. Respiratory protection, general industry (3,573)
  5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (3,406)
  6. Powered industrial trucks, general industry (2,855)
  7. Ladders, construction (2,625)
  8. Machinery and Machine Guarding, general requirements (2,448)
  9. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (1,937)
  10. Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (1,704)

OSHA publishes the Top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards annually as a guide for employers to address the biggest safety risks facing their employees.