OSHA guides
Know the standard before the walkaround.
Plain-English explanations of the OSHA rules that generate the most citations, with the CFR section for each requirement.
OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Standards
The OSHA standards cited most often in federal inspections — fall protection, hazard communication, ladders, respirators, lockout/tagout and more — with what each requires and how to stay out of the list.
OSHA Fall Protection Requirements: 6 Feet vs. 4 Feet
When OSHA requires fall protection — 6 feet in construction (1926.501) and 4 feet in general industry (1910.28) — plus guardrail, safety net, and personal fall arrest system requirements.
OSHA Scaffolding Requirements (29 CFR 1926.451)
The core OSHA scaffold rules under 29 CFR 1926.451 — 4:1 load capacity, platform planking, safe access, 10-foot fall protection, competent-person inspections, and training.
OSHA Ladder Requirements for Construction (1926.1053)
OSHA's construction ladder rules under 29 CFR 1926.1053 — the 3-foot extension rule, 4:1 setup angle, load ratings, stepladder top-step rule, inspections, and tagging defective ladders.
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200)
What OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires: a written program, GHS-aligned labels, 16-section Safety Data Sheets, and employee training — plus the 2024 update.
Lockout/Tagout Requirements (29 CFR 1910.147)
OSHA's control of hazardous energy standard explained: written energy control program, machine-specific procedures, lockout devices, the annual periodic inspection, and the six steps of lockout.
OSHA Respiratory Protection Program Requirements
What OSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) requires: a written program, medical evaluations, annual fit testing, the facial hair rule, and voluntary-use requirements.
OSHA Forklift Rules (Powered Industrial Trucks, 1910.178)
OSHA's powered industrial truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178) explained — operator training and certification, evaluations every three years, daily pre-use inspections, and common forklift citations.
OSHA Machine Guarding Requirements (1910.212)
OSHA's general machine guarding rules under 29 CFR 1910.212 — point-of-operation guards, nip points and rotating parts, fan blade guards, anchoring, and related standards.
OSHA Penalties and How OSHA Inspections Work
OSHA violation types and maximum penalties (2025 figures), how inspections are prioritized, what happens during an inspection, and your deadlines after receiving a citation.
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