Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501) is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for fiscal year 2019. This marks the ninth consecutive year it has stood atop the agency’s “Top 10” list.

Speaking in September at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo in San Diego, Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, talked about another thing that hasn’t changed: The agency’s willingness to assist employers with curbing violations involving fall protection and other standards.

“These are common violations that we’re finding – they’ve been in place for a lot of years,” Kapust said. “The answers are out there, and employers shouldn’t feel like these are very complex issues. If you don’t know the answers, we encourage you to contact OSHA.”

Here, Safety+Health unveils finalized Top 10 data for FY 2019 (which ended Sept. 30), the penalty box of the year’s largest fines and an exclusive interview with Kapust.

Most cited violations, fiscal year 2019

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Based on OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30. Data current as of Nov. 1.

Top 10 "serious" violations, fiscal year 2019

OSHA defines a “serious” violation as “one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.”

Top 10 "willful" violations, fiscal year 2019

OSHA defines a “willful” violation as one “committed with an intentional disregard of or plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and requirements.”

Tables based on OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30. Data current as of Nov. 1.