OSHA Penalties Increasing for 2018

01.03.2018

HR & Safety

The penalties OSHA assesses for violations have increased as of Jan. 2, 2018. The following chart compares the new OSHA penalties to last year’s:

Violation	Jan. 2017 Penalty Levels	Penalties as of Jan. 2, 2018
Any willful violation of OSHA rules or standards	Minimum of $9,054 up to $126,749	Minimum of $9,239 up to $129,336
Any repeat violation of OSHA rules or standards	Up to $126,749	Up to $129,336
Any serious violation of OSHA rules or standards	Up to $12,675	Up to $12,934
Any OSHA violation deemed not serious	Up to $12,675	Up to $12,934
Failure to correct a violation	Up to $12,675 for each day the condition continues	Up to $12,934 for each day the condition continues
Violation of posting requirements	Up to $12,675	Up to $12,934

The OSHA penalties that employers face depend on when the violation(s) occur and when penalties are assessed. OSHA will use the following schedule to determine which penalty amounts apply in a given enforcement case:

Violations Occurring	Penalty Assessed	Which Penalty Level Applies
On or before Nov. 2, 2015	On or before Aug. 1, 2016	Pre-Aug. 1, 2016 levels
On or before Nov. 2, 2015	After Aug. 1, 2016	Pre-Aug. 1, 2016 levels
After Nov. 2, 2015	After Aug. 1, 2016, but on or before Jan. 13, 2017	Aug. 1, 2016 levels
After Nov. 2, 2015	After Jan. 13, 2017, but on or before Jan. 2, 2018	Jan. 13, 2017 levels
After Nov. 2, 2015	After Jan. 2, 2018	Jan. 2, 2018 levels