The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been authorized to increase its civil penalties for all employer violations of OSHA regulations. The increase is set to take effect by August 1, 2016. This is the first time penalties have been increased since 1990.

Under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, new legislation sets criteria for OSHA to increase its civil penalties. The first adjustment will occur in 2016 and is considered a one-time “catch-up adjustment.” Beginning in 2017, annual inflation increases will be made. The increases will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index. The catch-up adjustment in 2016 will be 78 percent.

With the 78 percent increase, the maximum allowable OSHA fines for 2016 will be as follows:

“Other Than Serious” and “Serious” Citations:
Increase from current maximum fine of $7,000 to maximum fine of $12,471.

“Willful” and “Repeat” Citations:
Increase from current maximum fine of $70,000 to maximum fine of $124,709.

Avoid Costly OSHA Citations

While an OSHA citation can be costly, the health and safety of employees is on the line when safety standards are not enforced in the workforce. Employers can ensure a safe work environment for their employees, eliminate devastating injuries, and avoid costly OSHA citations by implementing and enforcing a safety program.

Click here to learn more about implementing a safety program in your workplace or improving your current safety efforts with loss control.

Top 10 OSHA Violations

In 2014, three million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses occurred in the private sector. In the same year, the public sector reported 722,300 injury and illness cases. Many of these injuries and illnesses are preventable when the right steps are taken to identify and correct hazards in the workplace.

While workplace hazards vary from one business to another, here are the top ten most frequently cited OSHA violations along with tips to avoid these violations. Do you have safety measures in place to address these hazards? Download our white paper “OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations.”

Additional Resources

Over the next couple of months, we will be highlighting the top ten OSHA violations from 2015. Check out the #4 top violation on respiratory protection in this video.

Know the OSHA standards and regulations that apply to your industry. For more information, click here.
Learn how to keep yourself and your employees safe on the job through personal protective equipment. For more information, click here.
Prevent slips, trips, and falls in the workplace. For more information, click here.
Keep employees safe in winter weather conditions. For more information, click here.
Help employees avoid heat illness. For more information, click here.
Tips for improving safety culture. For more information, click here.
Prevent workplace injuries with ergonomics. For more information, click here.