Have You Reviewed the OSHA Top 10 Recently?

Words:  National Account Executive Patrick Cunningham, Federated Mutual Insurance Company
Photos: MASONRY Magazine

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Top 10 list addresses the most frequently cited standards following inspections of businesses and worksites by federal OSHA. For masonry contractors, this list is particularly beneficial in enhancing safety practices and risk management within the industry. 

Why Should You Review This List?

Each year, OSHA posts their Top 10 violations after the month of April to allow the prior fiscal year’s inspection data to finalize.1 

By focusing on the OSHA Top 10 list, mason contractors can gain targeted insights into the regulatory landscape, helping them align their operations with industry standards to help avoid common pitfalls. This serves as a comprehensive guide, shedding light on specific safety concerns and compliance requirements relevant to the mason contractor sector.

In The Fiscal Year 2022, The Top 10 Included:

  1. Fall protection(C)
  2. Hazard communication
  3. Ladders(C)
  4. Respiratory protection
  5. Scaffolding(C)
  6. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
  7. Powered industrial trucks
  8. Fall protection training(C)
  9. Eye and face protection(C)
  10. Machinery and machine guarding

Is Your Business Operating Safely?

OSHA inspections across the nation are completed at both the state and federal levels. In 2022, over 69,000 OSHA inspections have occurred, resulting in more than 133,000 violations.2 Knowing that these risks exist — and that there are plenty of safety resources to help mitigate them — what will you do for your business to avoid becoming a part of these statistics? 

Staying up-to-date as these topics evolve is necessary to help prevent costly and dangerous losses and can help to ensure a safer working environment for your employees. Reach out to your local Federated® marketing representative for more information.

  1. https://www.osha.gov/top10citedstandards. Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. Accessed 11/20/23.
  2. https://enforcedata.dol.gov/views/oshaLab.php. Data Enforcement. Accessed 11/20/23.
    (C) Construction Standard instead of General Industry (according to OSHA)
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More
Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior

Linda Potter
MAP Partner
Read More