The U.S. Department of Labor increased Occupational Safety and Health Administration penalties across the board by 2 percent, with a new maximum fine of nearly $130,000.
The DOL increased the penalties to adjust for inflation as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, which initially raised civil penalties by 78 percent after more than two decades without an increase. The law mandates annual adjustments by Jan. 15.
The 2018 maximum penalties are as follows:
- Other-than-Serious: $12,934
- Serious: $12,934
- Repeat : $129,336
- Willful: $129,336
The penalty increase applies to federal OSHA states, however, OSHA expects that states operating their own occupational safety and health program will align federal penalty structures.
