The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an increase in the maximum civil penalties for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations, effective January 15, 2025. This adjustment, mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, aims to maintain the deterrent effect of monetary penalties against workplace safety infractions.
Key changes to the OSHA penalty structure include:
The maximum penalty for serious and other-than-serious violations will rise from $16,131 to $16,550 per violation.
For willful or repeated violations, the maximum penalty will increase from $161,323 to $165,514 per violation.
These adjustments are part of an annual process required by Congress to ensure that civil monetary penalties keep pace with inflation and continue to serve as an effective deterrent against workplace safety violations.
The 2015 Act mandates that federal agencies publish "catch-up" rules to adjust civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual inflation adjustments no later than January 15 each year. This legislation was enacted to enhance the effectiveness of civil penalties across various federal regulations.
Employers should take note of these increased penalties and review their workplace safety protocols to ensure compliance with OSHA standards. The heightened fines underscore the importance of maintaining robust safety measures and addressing potential hazards promptly to avoid costly violations.
