DOL Reveals 2023 Changes to OSHA Civil Penalties
The maximum penalties for other-than-serious, serious and willful or repeated violations increased this year.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jan 13, 2023
Yesterday, the Department of Labor unveiled OSHA’s new civil penalties, “based on cost-of-living adjustments,” for 2023.
According to a trade release, the new maximum penalties for each violation are
- $15,625 per violation, up from $14,502, for other-than-serious violations,
- $15,625 per violation, up from $14,502, for serious violations and
- $156,259 per violation, up from $145,027, for willful or repeated violations.
In 2022, maximum penalties also increased. Other-than-serious and serious violations went up from $13,653 to $14,502, and willful or repeated violations went up from $136,532 to $145,027, adjustments from 2022 show.
Under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, agencies must make changes to penalties yearly based on inflation, according to the Department of Labor. They have until January 15 to do this.
State OSHA plans are required by OSHA to have maximum penalties “at least as effective” as federal penalties, according to OSHA (though this subject led one state governor to sue the agency last year).
The effective date of the new penalties is January 17, 2023.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.