OSHA Raises Fine Structure as Much as 78%

Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act directed agencies to adjust their civil monetary penalties for inflation each year and publish ‘catch-up’ rules this summer

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor announced two interim final rules to adjust its penalties for inflation based on the last time each penalty was increased.

“Civil penalties should be a credible deterrent that influences behavior far and wide,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “Adjusting our penalties to keep pace with the cost of living can lead to significant benefits for workers and can level the playing field responsible employers who should not have to compete with those who don’t follow the law.” 

One key change: OSHA’s maximum penalties, which have not been raised since 1990, will increase by 78%. The top penalty for serious violations will rise from $7,000 to $12,471. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $70,000 to $124,709.

(go to the Department of Labor’s fact sheets . . . )

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