Cal/OSHA Top 10: The Fix List for California Jobs

The list, with where to start on each

Source: Cal/OSHA (California Department of Industrial Relations), Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards by Calendar Year, all industries, 2025 list with 2024, 2021, and 2018 ranks. Cal/OSHA publishes ranks only, not citation counts. * Rows marked with an asterisk are EHS Concepts counts from the published ranks.

1. Injury and Illness Prevention Program (general industry)

   • No. 1 in 2025, 2024, 2021, and 2018
   • Written program required of every California employer
   • 8 core elements, from responsible person to records

   Start here (administrative): Rewrite the IIPP to match how your company actually works. One named owner with authority.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3203 [GI]

2. Heat illness prevention (outdoor)

   • No. 2 in 2025 and every yearly table back to 2015
   • 80°F shade must be up and available
   • 95°F high-heat procedures start

   Start here (engineer): Shade structures and cooled rest areas near the work.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3395 [ALL]

3. Injury and Illness Prevention Program (construction)

   • No. 3 in 2025 and 2024
   • 10 days toolbox or tailgate safety meetings at least this often
   • Code of Safe Practices must be written and posted

   Start here (administrative): Job-specific Code of Safe Practices posted at every site.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §1509 [CON]

4. Reporting serious injuries, illnesses, and deaths

   • No. 4 in 2025 and 2024
   • 8 hrs outside limit to report to Cal/OSHA
   • Immediately is the actual requirement

   Start here (administrative): One named person (and a backup) owns the report, 24/7.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §342 [ALL]

5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/blockout)

   • No. 5 in 2025 (No. 6 in 2024)
   • Before cleaning, repairing, servicing, setting up, or adjusting
   • Written hazardous energy control procedures required

   Start here (engineer): Guarding and remote jam clearing so hands stay out.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §3314 [GI]

6. Respiratory protection

   • No. 6 in 2025 (No. 8 in 2024)
   • Medical evaluation required before fit testing and use
   • Annual fit testing

   Start here (eliminate): Change the process to stop the exposure.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §5144 [GI]

7. Hazard communication

   • No. 7 in 2025 (No. 5 in 2024)
   • SDS must be readily accessible
   • Written program required

   Start here (substitute): Pick less hazardous products.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §5194 [GI]

8. Emergency medical services (construction)

   • No. 8 in 2025, new to the top 10
   • First aid trained person required on site
   • Plan for prompt medical care and transport

   Start here (plan): Written emergency medical plan for each site before work starts.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §1512 [CON]

9. Respirable crystalline silica

   • No. 9 in 2025 and 2024
   • 50 µg/m³ permissible exposure limit, 8-hour average
   • 25 µg/m³ action level

   Start here (eliminate): Buy pre-cut materials.

   Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §5204 [GI]

10. Portable fire extinguishers

    • No. 10 in 2025 (No. 7 in 2024)
    • Monthly visual inspection
    • Annual maintenance check

    Start here (engineer): Right type and size near each hazard.

    Rules and guidance: 8 CCR §6151 [GI]

The full PDF adds, for each item, why it really happens, the rules or guidance in plain words, controls in order, a 30-minute self-audit, who owns it and a toolbox talk starter.

Download the free PDF (48-page PDF)

Sources, as cited in the guide

1. Cal/OSHA, Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards by Calendar Year (2025 and earlier). https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/statistics/Frequently-cited-standards.html
2. 8 CCR §3203, Injury and Illness Prevention Program. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3203.html
3. 8 CCR §1509, Injury and Illness Prevention Program (construction). https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1509.html
4. 8 CCR §3395, Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor Places of Employment. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3395.html
5. 8 CCR §342, Reporting Work-Connected Fatalities and Serious Injuries. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/342.html
6. 8 CCR §3314, Control of Hazardous Energy. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3314.html
7. 8 CCR §5144, Respiratory Protection. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5144.html
8. 8 CCR §5194, Hazard Communication. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5194.html
9. 8 CCR §1512, Emergency Medical Services (construction). https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1512.html
10. 8 CCR §5204, Occupational Exposures to Respirable Crystalline Silica. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5204.html
11. 8 CCR §6151, Portable Fire Extinguishers. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/6151.html
12. Cal/OSHA, Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry (Labor Code §6401.9). https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/Workplace-Violence/General-Industry.html
13. Cal/OSHA Consultation Services. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/consultation.html