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600 Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health
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What is OSHA's Focus?

OSHA focuses on more than just workplace fatalities. It oversees all areas of worker health and safety, including work-related injuries and illnesses. Check out the list below to see some of the most common workplace violations reported to OSHA.

Fall protection is once again at the top of OSHA's Top Ten list.

2024 Top 10 OSHA Standard Violations

OSHA’s Top 10 list of the most frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2024 includes familiar names, with Fall Protection – General Requirements leading the list for the 14th consecutive year. This list is based on violations from 10/1/2023 - 9/5/2024)

  1. Fall protection, construction (1926.501)
  2. Hazard communication standard, general industry (1910.1200)
  3. Ladders, construction (1926.1053)
  4. Respiratory Protection, general industry (1910.134)
  5. Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (1910.147)
  6. Powered industrial trucks, general industry (1910.178)
  7. Fall Protection Training, construction (1926.503)
  8. Scaffolding, construction (1926.451)
  9. Eye and Face Protection, construction (1926.102)
  10. Machine Guarding, general industry (1910.212)

OSHA's "Focus Four"

Construction safety is one of OSHA's top concerns. Construction is among the most dangerous industries in the country and construction inspections comprise 60% of OSHA's total inspections. These "Focus Four" accident categories are responsible for nearly three out of five construction worker deaths. Falls represent the cause of most of these accidents.

The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites are:

  • Falls
  • Caught-in/between
  • Struck by Object
  • Electrocutions

For more information on the fatal four accident categories, see courses 806 Focus Four: Fall Hazards, 807 Focus Four: Caught In-Between Hazards, 808 Focus Four: Struck-By Hazards, and 809 Focus Four: Electrocution Hazards .

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-2. What are the four leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites, known as OSHA's "Focus Four"?