by David Tullis, on Jan 17, 2025 8:40:07 AM
Every year, OSHA shares its top ten most-cited violations. The most common violations rarely change, but they do change position.
For example, forklift safety violations dropped to ninth place in 2021, but by 2023 it was back up in fifth place. This year, forklift violations are the sixth most common citation — according to OSHA’s preliminary numbers.
As we’ll explain in the article below, the most common forklift violations are very very easy to prevent. Read to learn about
- The top 10 OSHA citations for 2024
- A list of industries with the most forklift violations in 2024
Top 10 OSHA Violations
NOTE: Forklifts are classified by OSHA as “powered industrial trucks.”
Top 10 OSHA Citations for 2024*
- Fall Protection - General Requirements (1926.501): 6307 violations
- Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2888 violations
- Ladders (1926.1053): 2573 violations
- Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2470 violations
- Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2443 violations
- Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2248 violations
- Fall Protection - Training Requirements (1926.503): 2050 violations
- Scaffolding (1926.451): 1873 violations
- Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1814 violations
- Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1541 violations
* This article was written in November 2024 based on OSHA’s preliminary stats. If you’re reading this article after April 2025, you can check the final numbers here.
DOWNLOAD our T.I.P.s (Toyota Information Partners) for OSHA's Top 10 Violations for 2024
OSHA's maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations are $16,131 per violation in 2024. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations is $161,323 per violation. OSHA fines change every year. If you’re reading this article in 2025, please visit OSHA.gov for the most current information.
Industries With the Most OSHA Forklift Penalties and Citations
The stats below show OSHA citations and penalties for forklift violations from October 2023 through September 2024. More current data may be available on OSHA’s website.
Manufacturing operations had the highest number of inspections, but Truck Transportation received the heaviest penalties. Note: penalty amounts include any settlement action adjustments that may have taken place.
Manufacturing
- 730 Inspections
- 1083 Citations
- $3,211,135 Penalties
- Average penalty per citation $2965
Warehousing and Storage
- 194 Inspections
- 270 Citations
- $1,041,581 Penalties
- Average penalty per citation $3857
Wholesale Trade
- 198 Inspections
- 295 Citations
- $1,007,930 Penalties
- Average penalty per citation $2633
Construction
- 214 Inspections
- 260 Citations
- $710,568 Penalties
- Average penalty per citation $2733
Truck Transportation
- 37 Inspections
- 56 Citations
- $497,257 Penalties
- Average penalty per citation $8879
As you can see from the stats above, one inspection can generate multiple forklift-related citations.
The 3 Most Common OSHA Forklift Violations
The most common OSHA forklift safety violations are:
- Unsafe operation
- Failure to provide refresher training
- Missing/inadequate operator certification
Southern States Toyotalift (SST) makes it easy to avoid all three. We can provide forklift certifications using your equipment at your facility and provide refresher training. We’ll customize the program to your work environment and schedule training whenever it's convenient, including nights or weekends. Learn more and view pricing for on-site forklift training.
We also offer free forklift inspection checklists for electric and IC forklifts, pallet trucks and more. Checklists are available in both English and Spanish.
Safety Is No Accident
Contact us online, by phone at (800) 226-2345, or in person at one of our nine locations. We're happy to answer any forklift or warehouse safety questions you may have.
FLORIDA
Jacksonville
Ocala
Orlando
Tampa
Winter Park
GEORGIA
Albany
Macon
Midland
Valdosta
Further Reading
3 Ways to Avoid Increased OSHA Fines
4 Reasons to Ditch Your Ladders and Use a Low-Level Access Lift
Why Are Forklift Inspections So Important?
