The U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule in the Federal Register that increases penalty amounts to adjust for inflation across its various agencies, including OSHA. The penalty increases are effective as of January 13, 2017.
This most recent increase follows a much larger increase of 78 percent, which took effect in August 2016. That jump represented the first time OSHA had increased its penalties since 1990. The new fines are just over 1 percent higher than the August 2016 levels.
The new penalty levels will apply to all violations occurring after November 2, 2015, with penalties assessed after January 13, 2017.
The following chart compares penalties in effect August 1, 2016, to the new penalties effective January 13, 2017:
Violation |
August 2016 |
Penalties as of |
Any willful violation of OSHA rules or standards |
Minimum of $8,908 up to $124,709 |
Minimum of $9,054 up to $126,749 |
Any repeated violation of OSHA rules or standards |
Up to $124,709 |
Up to $126,749 |
Any serious violation of OSHA rules or standards |
Up to $12,471 |
Up to $12,675 |
OSHA violation deemed other-than-serious |
Up to $12,471 |
Up to $12,675 |
Failure to correct a violation |
Up to $12,471 |
Up to $12,675 |
Violation of posting requirements |
Up to $12,471 |
Up to $12,675 |