Construction Safety Violations: The Ultimate Guide

OSHA Violation Types and Fines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) categorizes construction safety violations into six types. The likelihood of harm and the seriousness of the potential injury determine the severity of each violation type. These violations are classified as follows:

• Serious: A serious violation occurs when there is a significant chance that death or serious injury could result from a workplace hazard.
• Other-Than-Serious: These violations are related to job safety but are not likely to cause severe harm or death.
• Willful: This type of violation indicates that an employer knowingly disregards or deliberately ignores OSHA standards.
• De Minimis: De minimis violations are minor technical infractions that do not directly affect worker safety or health.
• Failure to Abate: These violations occur when an employer fails to fix a previously cited hazard within the given timeframe.
• Repeated: A repeated violation occurs when a similar issue arises after a previous citation triggers the same violation.
• Posting Requirements: Employers are required to display certain OSHA posters and notices in a conspicuous location for employees to see.

Each violation carries its own set of penalties. Below are the minimum and maximum penalty amounts for each type of violation as per OSHA:

Top 10 Construction Safety Violations

OSHA has just released its list of the most commonly cited safety violations for construction in 2024. Understanding these key areas opens opportunities to focus efforts where they matter most—helping teams stay safer and reducing risks on the job.

1. Duty to Have Fall Protection: This standard requires employers to provide fall protection for employees exposed to heights of six feet or more. Common violations stem from failing to ensure workers with sturdy surfaces to work or walk on, inadequate training, or a lack of oversight programs.
2. Ladders: The standard applies to all types of construction ladders. Common violations include exceeding a ladder’s load limit, not inspecting ladders before each use, and neglecting proper ladder safety practices.
3. Training Requirements: This standard covers training requirements for construction hazards like fall protection, hazardous chemicals, and confined space entry. Employers must train workers on these hazards and ensure they have the skills to work safely.
4. Eye and Face Protection: This standard requires employers to provide and ensure proper eye and face protection. Companies that fail to meet eye and face protection standards expose workers to hazards like flying particles, molten metal, chemicals, gases, or harmful light radiation.
5. General Requirements – Scaffolding: This standard establishes detailed guidelines for the design, construction, use, and maintenance of scaffolds. However, some employers fail to provide essential safeguards, such as guardrails and fall protection, or install scaffolds that cannot adequately support the loads placed on them.
6. General Safety and Health Provisions: This covers topics like safety and health programs, hazard communication, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and general workplace safety practices. Violations of this standard often occur when workers are not provided with clean working conditions or a hazard-free environment that protects their health and safety.
7. Head Protection: This standard requires employees in areas at risk of head injuries from impact, falling objects, or electrical hazards to wear protective helmets. Employers can violate this rule if the hard hats they provide don’t meet ANSI standards such as Z89.1.
8. Abatement Verification: Once an OSHA violation is identified, employers must correct the issue and provide proof of abatement within a designated timeframe. Failure to do so can result in additional penalties and fines.
9. Specific Excavation Requirements: This outlines requirements to protect employees working in excavations and trenches from hazards such as cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and vehicular traffic. The lack of pre-planning, protective systems, safety measures, and inspections are major contributing factors in violating this standard.
10. Machine Guarding: This standard mandates that all moving parts of machinery and equipment must be properly guarded to prevent accidental contact and potential injuries. Violations of this requirement can lead to serious harm such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or even blindness.

How To Handle Construction Site Safety Violations

You can do the following steps to prevent or handle construction site safety violations.

Identify the Root Cause

Identify the root cause and extent of the safety violation. Determine if it’s a one-time mistake, recurring issue, or intentional breach affecting individuals, teams, or the entire site. Gather evidence—photos, reports, or witness accounts—to support your findings and avoid assumptions.

Deliver Clear and Direct Communication

Once you understand the issue, communicate it directly to those involved with a firm but respectful tone. Clearly state the broken safety rule, why it matters, and the necessary corrective steps. Be sure to document these discussions to keep a clear record.

Monitor Compliance and Follow Through

After addressing the violation, follow-up is key to ensure changes stick and protocols are followed. Review the site’s compliance regularly, provide feedback, and recognize improvements to encourage positive behavior. If problems persist, it may be necessary to take further disciplinary action.

Provide Ongoing Safety Education

Continuous education is key to improving site safety and reducing violations. Provide updated guidelines, hands-on training, and drills to ensure everyone understands safety expectations. Supply your team with the right resources and protective gear to work safely.

Foster a Safety-First Culture

Create an environment where workers, contractors, and other stakeholders feel encouraged to participate in safety initiatives. Involve them in audits, safety walks, and improvement discussions to foster shared responsibility. Valuing their input empowers teams to take ownership of site safety.

Demonstrate Leadership Through Action

Leading by example is the best way to build a strong safety culture on your construction sites. Follow protocols yourself and acknowledge workers who uphold safety standards. Your commitment will inspire your teams to do the same.