An OSHA violation happens when an employer fails to comply with safety standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Violations range from minor technical issues to willful disregard of worker safety.
Fines in 2025 can be as high as $165,514 per violation, with additional daily penalties for failure to abate hazards. View OSHA penalties here.
What is OSHA and Why It Matters for Field Service Managers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards across more than 11 million worksites in the United States. OSHA conducts inspections in high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and field services to prevent accidents and injuries.
For field service managers, OSHA compliance protects your:
- Employees: Reducing injuries and claims while keeping teams safe.
- Reputation: Showing clients and partners that safety is a top priority.
- Bottom Line: Avoiding costly fines, project delays, and legal disputes.
What Are OSHA Violations?
An OSHA violation occurs when workplace practices don’t align with OSHA standards. Inspectors issue citations that include:
- A description of the hazard.
- The penalty amount.
- A deadline to correct the issue.
👉 As of January 15, 2025, penalties are:
- Serious / Other-than-Serious / Posting: up to $16,550 per violation
- Failure to Abate: up to $16,550 per day
- Willful or Repeated: up to $165,514 per violation
What Are the Types of OSHA Violations?
People often refer to the “four types of OSHA violations,” but OSHA enforces six categories in total. The main four are:
- Serious Violations – Hazards likely to cause serious harm or death.
- Other-than-Serious Violations – Non-compliance that poses risk but not serious harm.
- Willful Violations – Employer knowingly ignores OSHA standards.
- Repeated Violations – Same or similar issue found after a previous citation.
- Failure to Abate – Hazard not corrected by OSHA’s deadline.
- De Minimis Violations – Technical non-compliance with no real safety risk.
Top 10 Most Common OSHA Violations (2024 Data)
According to OSHA’s official list, the most frequently cited standards were:
- Fall Protection – General (1926.501)
- Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
- Ladders – Construction (1926.1053)
- Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
- Lockout/Tagout (1910.147)
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
- Fall Protection – Training (1926.503)
- Scaffolding (1926.451)
- Eye & Face Protection (1926.102)
- Machine Guarding (1910.212)
What Are the Top 3 OSHA-Cited Ladder Violations?
Ladder-related citations often result from:
- Improper use – standing on the top step, overreaching, or carrying objects while climbing.
- Damaged or incorrect ladders – broken rungs or ladders not rated for the task.
- Unsafe setup – unstable, uneven, or slippery surfaces without proper angle or secure footing.
Following OSHA’s ladder standard (1926.1053) helps employers avoid costly fines.
Examples of OSHA Violations
OSHA violations can occur in any industry. Here are some real-world examples:
Facilities and Trades: Ladder misuse, poor hazard communication, blocked emergency exits.
Construction: Missing guardrails on elevated platforms, unsafe scaffolding.
Healthcare: Unlabeled chemicals or failure to provide respiratory protection.
Manufacturing: Unguarded machines, missing lockout/tagout controls.
Case Study: Tesla Gigafactory
In 2024, OSHA investigated a worker fatality at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. Inspectors issued three serious citations tied to electrical hazards, with penalties nearing $50,000. The case highlights the importance of consistent training, lockout/tagout procedures, and regular site inspections.
Best Practices for Avoiding OSHA Fines
- Train regularly – Ensure every employee knows fall, ladder, and lockout procedures.
- Conduct safety inspections – Catch hazards before OSHA does.
- Update equipment & PPE – Replace damaged ladders, respirators, or guards.
- Respond quickly – Fix hazards by the abatement deadline.
- Stay current – OSHA updates standards annually—review them each year.
How allGeo Helps You Stay OSHA-Compliant
Avoiding OSHA violations requires more than posters and policies. It’s about workflows in the field. That’s where allGeo steps in:
- Digital safety checklists & smart forms (ladder, PPE, LOTO inspections).
- Geofenced safety reminders when crews enter risk zones.
- Lone worker protection with timed check-ins and SOS alerts.
- Digital records to prove compliance during inspections.
- Integration with payroll & reporting for full audit trails.
➡️ Start a free trial with allGeo or book a demo to see how we help field service businesses stay compliant and avoid OSHA penalties.
Final Word
By understanding the six types of violations, knowing the most common citations, and embedding safety into daily workflows, field service managers can protect both their teams and their bottom line.
Modern tools like allGeo make compliance become proactive, not reactive, so your crews stay safe every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an OSHA violation?
A failure to meet OSHA safety standards, which can result in citations, fines, and abatement requirements.
Q: What are the 4 types of OSHA violations?
Serious, Other-than-Serious, Willful, and Repeated (plus Failure to Abate and De Minimis).
Q: What are the top 3 OSHA ladder violations?
Improper ladder use, damaged/incorrect ladders, and unsafe setups.
Q: What are examples of OSHA violations?
Missing fall protection, unguarded machines, unlabeled chemicals, forklift safety failures.
Q: How much are OSHA fines in 2025?
Up to $16,550 per violation (serious/other-than-serious), $16,550/day (failure to abate), and $165,514 per violation (willful/repeated).
