On January 9, 2025, the Department of Labor announced its annual inflation adjustments to OSHA civil penalties for 2025. This reflects the agency’s commitment to improving compliance and deterring unsafe practices in industries across the U.S. The higher penalties will take effect for violations issued on or after January 15, 2025.
The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires the Department of Labor to annually adjust its civil penalties for inflation no later than January 15th of each year. These increases are tied to the annual cost-of-living increases across the federal government and to inflation. State plan workplace safety agencies are also required to increase their maximum penalties in alignment with OSHA’s penalty increases. This is in part to maintain at least as effective penalty levels.
Higher Penalties: The Violations
The violations are separated into 3 types. The following shows each type with the current 2025 violation amount compared to 2024.
| Type of Violation | Previous 2024 Max Penalty | New 2025 Max Penalty |
| Serious Other-Than-Serious Posting Requirements | $16,131 per violation | $16,550 per violation |
| Failure to Abate | $16,131 per day beyond the abatement date | $16,550 per day beyond the abatement date |
| Willful or Repeated Action | $161,323 per violation | $161,514 per violation |
Why higher penalties?
The goal behind these increases is twofold: to enhance the deterrent effect of OSHA penalties and to encourage employers to proactively ensure their workplaces are compliant with safety standards. The new penalties aim to reflect the evolving economic conditions, and the costs associated with workplace accidents, including medical treatment, legal costs, and lost productivity.
Increased penalties are also a signal to employers that OSHA is prioritizing worker protection and holding them accountable for non-compliance. This is particularly important in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture, where safety violations can lead to significant harm or fatalities.
What Employers Need to Know
The announcement of higher penalties for workplace safety violations underscores OSHA’s commitment to improving safety standards and encouraging responsible behavior among employers. By raising the financial stakes for non-compliance, OSHA aims to reduce the number of workplace injuries and fatalities, creating safer environments for workers across the nation. Employers should take note of these changes and take proactive steps to ensure they are in full compliance with OSHA regulations to avoid the financial and reputational consequences of penalties. This highlights the importance of conducting regular safety audits, training employees on proper safety procedures, and staying up to date with OSHA standards. Employers should also ensure that they have robust internal processes for reporting and addressing safety hazards before they lead to violations.
To stay compliant and protect both workers and your business, now is the time to evaluate your safety programs and practices and address any potential risks before they result in violations.
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