What are the four types of employers that may be cited for an OSHA violation?
Asked by: Prof. Toy Bogan | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (72 votes)
OSHA identifies four types of employers at multi-employer worksites who can be cited for violations: the Creating Employer (caused the hazard), the Exposing Employer (whose own workers are exposed), the Correcting Employer (responsible for fixing it), and the Controlling Employer (has general supervisory authority to fix it). An employer can fit into more than one role, and OSHA uses a two-step process to determine liability, first identifying the role and then assessing if they met their obligations.
What are the 4 types of OSHA employers?
According to Cal/OSHA, there are four types of citable employers on multi-employer work- sites: the exposing employer, the creating employer, the controlling employer, and the correcting employer.
What are the four types of OSHA citations?
There are six listed types of OSHA violations, each carrying a different penalty.
- Serious. ...
- Other-Than-Serious. ...
- Willful or Repeated. ...
- Posting Requirements. ...
- Failure to Abate. ...
- De Minimus Violation.
Who can be cited by OSHA?
OSHA can cite employers for violation of the General Duty Clause if a recognized serious hazard exists in their workplace and the employer does not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard.
What are the top 3 citations given out by OSHA?
OSHA's top citations consistently revolve around preventing falls, managing hazardous chemicals, and ensuring safe ladder and scaffolding use, with Fall Protection (General Requirements) typically #1, followed by Hazard Communication, and then issues like Ladders, Respiratory Protection, and Scaffolding, showing persistent gaps in worker safety training and equipment across industries. For instance, in FY 2024, Fall Protection (Construction) led, with Hazard Communication and Ladders rounding out the top three.
Multi-Employer Citation Policy: Types of Employers
What are the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA violations?
OSHA's 2025 Top 10 Safety Violations:
- Fall Protection – General Requirements – 6,827 violations.
- Hazard Communication – 3,121 violations.
- Ladders – 2,789 violations.
- Respiratory Protection – 2,698 violations.
- Lockout/Tagout – 2,655 violations.
- Powered Industrial Trucks – 2,440 violations.
What is a citation from OSHA?
Each citation shall be in writing and shall describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the provision of the Act, standard, rule, regulation, or order alleged to have been violated. In addition, the citation shall fix a reasonable time for the abatement of the violation.
Can a controlling employer be cited by OSHA?
If the construction manager is a controlling employer, it can only be cited for OSHA violations as a controlling employer if it has failed to exercise reasonable care to meet its OSHA responsibilities.
What types of employers can be cited by OSHA except?
The type of employer that cannot be cited by OSHA is D. Abstaining Employers. This is because they do not engage in activities that create or expose workers to hazards. In contrast, Exposing, Controlling, and Creating Employers interact with potential hazards and can be cited by OSHA.
Which employers are covered by OSHA?
The OSH Act covers most private sector employers and their workers, in addition to some public sector employers and workers in the 50 states and certain territories and jurisdictions under federal authority.
Which is one of the four most common OSHA citation categories?
What Are the Most Common OSHA Citations?
- Fall Protection, Construction (29 CFR 1926.501) ...
- Hazard Communication Standard, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1200) ...
- Respiratory Protection, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.134) ...
- Scaffolding, General requirements, Construction (29 CFR 1926.451) ...
- Ladders, Construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
When an employer receives an OSHA citation?
Upon receipt of any citation under the Act, the employer shall immediately post such citation, or a copy thereof, unedited, at or near each place an alleged violation referred to in the citation occurred, except as provided below.
What are the 4 categories of OSHA standards?
OSHA standards are grouped into four main categories to cover diverse workplaces: General Industry (most businesses), Construction, Maritime (shipyards, terminals, longshoring), and Agriculture, with each category having specific rules, though some standards (like hazard communication) apply across all sectors.
What are the different types of employers?
Types of Employers: Federal
- Summary. ...
- An Employer Defined. ...
- Private Employers. ...
- Public Employers. ...
- Joint Employers. ...
- Single Employers (Integrated Enterprises) ...
- Franchisors and Franchisees. ...
- Successor Employers.
How many types of OSHA violations are there?
OSHA's workplace safety requirements are intended to ensure the health and safety of employees at a worksite. OSHA has six types of safety violations that could result in fines and penalties. The violations range from minor to severe and can cost a business thousands of dollars.
What are the 4 types of employees in the workplace?
There are four main types of employees: The Cynic, The Contributor, The Committed, and The Champion. Overall, having passionate and optimistic employees about their work goes a long way in contributing to a healthy and prosperous company culture.
What groups do not fall under OSHA?
The categories of workers not covered by federal OSHA include volunteers and temporary workers, self-employed workers, family members of farm workers, workers in industries regulated by an agency other than OSHA, and state and local government employees.
Which of the following are employers required to do under OSHA?
Provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and comply with standards, rules and regulations issued under the OSH Act. Examine workplace conditions to make sure they conform to applicable OSHA standards. Make sure employees have and use safe tools and equipment and properly maintain this equipment.
What are the top 4 hazards within OSHA?
Construction Hazards
The top four causes of construction fatalities are: Falls, Struck-By, Caught-In/Between and Electrocutions.
What are the three types of violations?
While "three types of violation" can refer to different contexts, in legal and safety spheres, they often mean Violations (Infractions), Misdemeanors, and Felonies, representing increasing severity, with infractions being minor (fines), misdemeanors moderate (up to a year jail), and felonies serious (over a year prison). In workplace safety (OSHA), common categories include Serious, Willful/Repeated, and Failure to Abate, differing by employer intent and correction status.
What is OSHA's 3 most cited violation?
OSHA's top citations consistently revolve around preventing falls, managing hazardous chemicals, and ensuring safe ladder and scaffolding use, with Fall Protection (General Requirements) typically #1, followed by Hazard Communication, and then issues like Ladders, Respiratory Protection, and Scaffolding, showing persistent gaps in worker safety training and equipment across industries. For instance, in FY 2024, Fall Protection (Construction) led, with Hazard Communication and Ladders rounding out the top three.
What is a controlling employer?
The definitions of these roles are:
The Correcting Employer is the employer on the worksite responsible for correcting a hazard. The Controlling Employer is the employer with general supervisory authority over the worksite, including the power to correct or require others to correct hazards.
Who can be cited and fined for OSHA violations?
Although this section states that each employee shall comply with all rules, regulations and orders issued under the OSH Act, the Act does not permit the issuance of citations and penalties to employees. Section 9 of the Act, titled "Citations", provides for issuing citations only to employers.
Can creating employers be cited by OSHA?
(*) A “creating employer” is the employer that caused a hazardous condition that violates an OSHA standard. A creating employer can be cited in instances where none of its employees are exposed to the hazard but employees of other employers are exposed.
What is the OSHA 4 minute rule?
The OSHA 4-minute rule refers to the requirement for prompt first aid, meaning trained personnel and supplies should be available within 3-4 minutes for serious injuries in workplaces with significant hazards (like electrocution) if professional help isn't nearby, with exceptions for lower-risk environments (up to 15 mins). For electrical work, it specifically mandates trained responders within 4 minutes for shock victims, and for general first aid, it means accessible help within that timeframe or having trained staff on-site.