OSHA Increases Violation Fines for 2018

Effective Jan. 2, 2018, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased its fines an average of 2 percent in keeping with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015. That legislation initially raised fine levels by 78 percent and authorized OSHA and other agencies to adjust their fines for inflation by Jan. 15 of each year. Accordingly, OSHA has adjusted these fines from 2017 levels:

• Any willful violation of OSHA rules or standards: Minimum raised from $9,043 to $9,239; maximum from $126,749 to $129,336
• Any repeat violation of OSHA rules or standards: Maximum of $126,749 to maximum of $129,336
• Any serious violation of OSHA rules or standards: Maximum of $12,675 to maximum of $12,934
• Any OSHA violation deemed not serious: Maximum of $12,675 to maximum of $12,934
• Failure to correct a violation: From maximum per day violation continues of $12,675 to maximum of $12,934 per day
• Violation of posting requirements: Maximum of $12,675 to maximum of $12,934