The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the annual increases to their fine schedule for 2024. These changes took effect on January 16th, 2024.
The increases follow the 2015 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of penalties and maintain their deterrent effect. Under the Act, agencies must publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil penalties and make subsequent adjustments for inflation.
For 2024, OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $15,625 per violation to $16,131 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $156,259 per violation to $161,323 per violation. This represents a 3% increase from the 2023 fines. With no end to inflation in sight, OSHA fines will continue to rise at similar levels for the foreseeable future.