OSHA’s 2026 Top 10 Citations Highlight Workplace Safety Risks in Puerto Rico

Workplace safety remains a critical concern for employers and workers across the United States and Puerto Rico. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,070 workers in the United States died from occupational injuries in 2024. Millions of additional workers experienced workplace injuries and illnesses.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes and enforces workplace safety and health requirements designed to reduce these risks. Employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces, while OSHA inspections help identify hazards and violations that can put workers at risk.

Each year, OSHA releases its “Top 10” list of the most frequently cited OSHA standards. The preliminary fiscal year 2026 list includes:

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements: 4,041 violations 2. Hazard Communication: 1,961 violations 3. Lockout/Tagout: 1,863 violations 4. Scaffolding: 1,725 violations 5. Ladders: 1,659 violations 6. Respiratory Protection: 1,608 violations 7. Powered Industrial Trucks: 1,379 violations 8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements: 1,273 violations 9. Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection: 1,120 violations 10. Machine Guarding: 1,072 violations
Fall protection appears in two categories on OSHA’s preliminary 2026 Top 10 list, underscoring the importance of effective fall prevention and training programs.

“The OSHA Top 10 provides employers with a useful reminder of the workplace hazards that continue to result in citations across the country,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “For organizations in Puerto Rico, understanding these recurring areas of concern can help inform proactive safety programs. At Zimmetry, we work with clients to identify workplace hazards, evaluate exposures, provide training, and strengthen health and safety programs that support OSHA and PR OSHA compliance.”

Zimmetry Environmental recently sponsored an educational video highlighting OSHA’s 2026 Top 10 Citations. The video is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2fDk20SQXMU

For more information about Zimmetry Environmental’s services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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