OSHA Fines Set To Increase 78% August 1st – It’s Not Too Late To Protect Your Business
OSHA penalty adjustments have been finalized, and the 78% hike will officially take effect on August 1, 2016. The adjustment for inflation is the first the Federal Government has allowed the Department of Labor to impose since 1990, and the rate is based on Consumer Price Index (CPI). Going forward, penalties will adjust each year to reflect the current CPI.
What Does It Mean For Your Business?
Here are the hard numbers:
| Type of Violation: | Current Maximum Penalty: | New Maximum Penalty: |
| Serious / Other-Than-Serious / Posting Requirements | $7,000 per violation | $12,471 per violation |
| Failure to Abate | $7,000 per day beyond the abatement date |
$12,471 per day beyond the abatement date |
| Willful or Repeated | $70,000 per violation | $124,709 per violation |
Will There Be Leniency Or Adjustments?
Field staff will have a revised Field Operations Manual by August 1 and will begin implementing the new penalties immediately for violations that occurred after November 1, 2015 – which is when Congress officially enacted the requirement. As in the past, OSHA will allow for penalty reductions based on employer size and other factors.
Otherwise, no leniency is expected to be afforded.
Is It Too Late To Implement Changes To Avoid Penalties?
Absolutely not. The penalty adjustment is just that: an increase in the fines for violations of existing OSHA requirements. If you are under OSHA’s jurisdiction, your business should already be doing what it needs to be in compliance and avoid hefty fines. However, if you feel like your current safety plans and procedures, or even your facilities, need an overhaul, now is the time to do it.
OSHA safety consultants like Optimum Safety Management can help you improve your safety culture with assessments, education and training, compliance assistance, and OSHA services like incident management. More in-depth information about how you can plan for the penalty increase and mitigate future OSHA incursions can be found in this post.
Contact Optimum Safety Management For An Evaluation
An objective evaluation of your current safety plan and procedures is the first step in determining if you are compliant or if you need to make changes. Trust Optimum Safety Management to help you navigate the upcoming OSHA penalty adjustment. Contact us at 630-759-9908 to get started.
