OSHA Announces Annual Adjustments to Civil Penalties
The adjustments to the civil penalty amounts take effect on Jan. 15.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Jan 15, 2021
The Department of Labor announced adjustments to OSHA civil penalty amounts on Jan. 13.
The adjustments are based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2021. OSHA must make these adjustments because of the 2015 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act, which requires agencies to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust penalty levels annually.
OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and “other-than-serious” violations increased from $13,494 per violation to $13,653 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations increased from $134,937 per violation to $136.532 per violation.
The adjustments are effective Jan. 15, and the increased penalty levels apply to any penalties given out after this date.
For more information, visit osha.gov.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.