Multiple Sources · 52 states
States With Most Workplace Safety Violations
Workplace safety violations reflect how well employers protect workers from hazards. States with the most OSHA violations tend to have large manufacturing, construction, and industrial sectors. Texas, California, and Illinois consistently lead in total violations, partly reflecting large workforces. The most common violations involve fall protection, hazard communication, respiratory protection, and scaffolding. Workplace injuries and fatalities have declined dramatically over 50 years, but thousands of Americans still die on the job each year, with construction, agriculture, and transportation being the most dangerous industries.
Key Findings
- 1Texas leads with a OSHA violations of 22,198, followed by Florida (16,658) and Pennsylvania (15,089).
- 2Puerto Rico ranks last at 719, while Texas leads at 22,198.
- 3The national median across all states is 4,267 (Michigan at the midpoint).
- 4The top 10 states are: Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, Alabama.
Full Ranking: States With Most Workplace Safety Violations
Source: Census ACS 5-Year Estimates
| # | State | Violations | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 2,113 | 2,014 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | 9,507 | 9,343 |
| 3 | West Virginia | 5,348 | 5,204 |
| 4 | Washington | 3,535 | 3,442 |
| 5 | Virginia | 4,627 | 4,516 |
| 6 | Vermont | 1,695 | 1,610 |
| 7 | Utah | 3,522 | 3,420 |
| 8 | Texas | 22,198 | 21,988 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 4,518 | 4,415 |
| 10 | South Dakota | 2,583 | 2,552 |
| 11 | South Carolina | 3,903 | 3,804 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 2,841 | 2,745 |
| 13 | Puerto Rico | 719 | 714 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 15,089 | 14,919 |
| 15 | Oregon | 3,300 | 3,206 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 8,495 | 8,339 |
| 17 | Ohio | 14,630 | 14,452 |
| 18 | North Dakota | 3,150 | 3,118 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 5,072 | 4,969 |
| 20 | New York | 10,265 | 10,105 |
| 21 | New Mexico | 2,512 | 2,418 |
| 22 | New Jersey | 8,457 | 8,299 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | 4,109 | 3,981 |
| 24 | Nevada | 3,137 | 3,032 |
| 25 | Nebraska | 6,335 | 6,191 |
| 26 | Montana | 3,005 | 2,908 |
| 27 | Missouri | 9,459 | 9,297 |
| 28 | Mississippi | 7,406 | 7,261 |
| 29 | Minnesota | 3,922 | 3,828 |
| 30 | Michigan | 4,267 | 4,159 |
| 31 | Massachusetts | 7,082 | 6,938 |
| 32 | Maryland | 3,582 | 3,480 |
| 33 | Maine | 3,397 | 3,280 |
| 34 | Louisiana | 8,425 | 8,275 |
| 35 | Kentucky | 3,817 | 3,719 |
| 36 | Kansas | 7,634 | 7,484 |
| 37 | Iowa | 3,595 | 3,492 |
| 38 | Indiana | 4,858 | 4,746 |
| 39 | Illinois | 13,352 | 13,178 |
| 40 | Idaho | 2,951 | 2,924 |
| 41 | Hawaii | 2,355 | 2,256 |
| 42 | Georgia | 14,074 | 13,889 |
| 43 | Florida | 16,658 | 16,477 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | 2,585 | 2,467 |
| 45 | Delaware | 3,157 | 3,051 |
| 46 | Connecticut | 4,902 | 4,778 |
| 47 | Colorado | 9,041 | 8,889 |
| 48 | California | 6,016 | 5,903 |
| 49 | Arkansas | 7,992 | 7,842 |
| 50 | Arizona | 4,143 | 4,037 |
| 51 | Alaska | 968 | 958 |
| 52 | Alabama | 9,274 | 9,143 |
Methodology
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Explore Other Rankings
Related Rankings & Top Entities
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas has the highest OSHA violations at 22,198, according to latest Census ACS data. Florida and Pennsylvania round out the top three.
Puerto Rico has the lowest OSHA violations at 719. Alaska is second-lowest at 968.
The median across all 52 states is 4,267. Note that the national median and the state-level median are calculated differently, the state median represents the midpoint when all states are ranked.
This data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates published by the US Census Bureau. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides the most comprehensive demographic data available between decennial censuses.
Rankings are based on the latest available Census ACS 5-Year estimates. The Census Bureau releases new ACS data annually. Our data was last updated on April 12, 2026.
Rankings are based on American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates from the US Census Bureau. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and provides detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data. 5-Year estimates offer the most reliable data for state-level comparisons by averaging responses over a 60-month period. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.