Staying compliant with OSHA regulations isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about saving lives. Each year, OSHA publishes its list of the most frequently cited violations across all industries. In construction, the top three violations are consistently the same: fall protection, ladders, and scaffolding.
At STC Safety & Risk Management, we specialize in helping construction companies recognize and mitigate these risks before they result in injury, death, or costly citations. In this article, we break down OSHA’s top 3 construction violations and show how our services can keep your team safe and compliant.
1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501)
The Violation:
Year after year, fall protection violations top OSHA’s list for the construction industry. Most citations are issued when employers fail to provide protection for employees working at heights above six feet.
The Risk:
Falls remain the leading cause of death in construction. A single lapse—such as missing guardrails, unprotected roof edges, or lack of a personal fall arrest system—can result in fatal injuries.
How STC Helps:
- Fall hazard assessments for rooftops, scaffolds, and elevated platforms
- Custom fall protection plans and policy development
- Onsite and online training through our LMS (Learning Management System)
- Compliance audits to ensure your systems meet OSHA standards
By partnering with STC, you’ll ensure your workers are equipped and educated to prevent fall-related incidents before they happen.
2. Ladder Safety (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1053)
The Violation:
Improper ladder use—including using the wrong ladder type, failing to secure the ladder, or not maintaining three points of contact—is a leading source of OSHA citations and workplace injuries.
The Risk:
A fall from even six feet can cause serious harm. Inadequate ladder safety practices can lead to concussions, broken limbs, and long-term disability. Worse, many ladder injuries are 100% preventable with proper training and site protocols.
How STC Helps:
- Ladder safety training that meets OSHA requirements
- Job site audits to identify and correct ladder misuse
- Toolbox talks and safety briefings tailored to daily operations
Our hands-on training and digital resources help workers develop good ladder habits, while our consulting services help employers enforce best practices every day.
3. Scaffolding (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451)
The Violation:
Common issues include missing mid-rails and toe boards, overloaded platforms, and improper scaffold assembly. Employers are also frequently cited for failing to train employees in scaffold safety.
The Risk:
Scaffolding failures can result in falls, structural collapses, and dropped-object hazards. With roughly 65% of the construction workforce working on scaffolds, this is a high-risk area that demands consistent oversight.
How STC Helps:
- Scaffold safety inspections before and during use
- Comprehensive OSHA 10 & 30-hour courses covering scaffolding
- Custom safety protocols for erection, use, and dismantling of scaffold systems
We help ensure your teams are trained, your scaffolds are safe, and your documentation is bulletproof for OSHA audits.
Why This Matters
OSHA penalties for these violations can exceed $16,000 per incident, not including the potential cost of injuries, insurance claims, and project delays. More importantly, these are life-threatening oversights. The most common OSHA citations point to a systemic problem—and an opportunity to improve.
At STC Safety & Risk Management, we work with contractors, site managers, and safety officers to build safety cultures that go beyond compliance. When safety becomes second nature, compliance follows.
Get Ahead of OSHA Violations
Our mission is to make safety simple. STC offers:
- Onsite inspections and compliance audits
- Virtual training via our LMS
- Written safety programs and customized policies
- Real-time support for high-risk projects
Want to protect your crew, your company, and your bottom line?
