On January 15, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) released its 2020 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
| Violation Type | 2019 | 2020 |
| Posting requirement | Up to $13,260 for each violation | Up to $13,494 for each violation |
| Other-than-serious violation | Up to $13,260 for each violation | Up to $13,494 for each violation |
| Serious violation | Up to $13,260 for each violation | Up to $13,494 for each violation |
| Willful violation | Between $9,472 and $132,598 per violation | Between $9,639 and $134,937 per violation |
| Uncorrected violation | Up to $13,260 per day until the violation is corrected | Up to $13,494 per day until the violation is corrected |
Key Points
- Annual Updates. OSHA must adjust its civil penalty amounts for inflation each year.
- Possible Penalties. OSHA may assess these penalties on employers that violate workplace safety and health standards set by the OSH Act.
- Compliance Review. Employers should review their compliance with OSHA regulations to minimize potential liability.
The increased amounts apply to civil penalties that are assessed after 1/15/2020. Employers should become familiar with the new penalty amounts and review their safety protocols to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
