2016 OSHA violation penalty increase
Practicing jobsite safety isn’t just critical for preventing bodily injury. It’s also important for avoiding costly fines and penalties that you could be responsible for paying if you are found to be in violation. The updated workplace safety standards set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or OSHA, went into effect on August 1, 2016, with the maximum penalties for violating an OSHA regulation increasing by 78%. This is in accordance with a U.S. Congressional decision to raise civil fines in order to compensate for rising annual inflation and is the first time since 1990 that Congress has raised OSHA penalties.
New OSHA violation penalties as of August 1, 2016
- $12,471 maximum penalty per violation of serious or other-than-serious posting requirements. The fine was previously $7,000 per violation.
- $12,471 maximum penalty per day for failure to abate, or failure to fix or improve, a violation beyond the initial abatement date. The fine was previously $7,000 per day.
- $124,709 maximum penalty for willful or repeat violations. The fine was previously $70,000 for repeat offenses.
Fortunately, you can avoid these fines simply by following the jobsite safety regulations that OSHA mandates. See the top 10 jobsite safety violations and get tips to help your business stay penalty-free >>
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