OSHA penalties to increase August 1

For the first time in over 25 years, the U.S. Labor Department has increased OSHA fines, taking effect August 1. The increase amounts to almost 80 percent, due to current inflation levels.

Previously, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 exempted OSHA from upping its penalties to account for inflation. The new budget, signed into law on November 2 by President Obama, contains an amendment that strikes the exemption. The agency said moving forward, it will adjust its penalties for inflation each year based on the Consumer Price Index.

The old and new amounts are as follows:

• Other-than-serious violation, from $7,000 to $12,471.

• Serious violation, from $7,000 to $12,471.

• Repeat violation, from $70,000 to $124,709.

• Willful violation, from $70,000 to $124,709.

• Failure-to-abate violation, from $7,000 to $12,471 per day.

• Violation of a posting requirement, from $7,000 to $12,471.

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/penalties.html