Thinking about putting a safety and health program in place? Think harder – Penalties for OSHA violations have just gotten steeper.
By Aug. 2016 the maximum violation fine OSHA gives could increase by as much as 80 percent. This increase is due to a “provision buried in a two-year congressional budget agreement that allows OSHA to make a catch-up adjustment to increase its maximum penalty amounts to account for inflation over the past 25 years.”
Examples:
Current average OSHA penalty for serious violations*
$1,972
Inflation-adjusted average
$3,549
Median OSHA penalty for worker deaths*
$5,050
Inflation-adjusted average
$9,090
*Source: AFL-CIO
This article by NALP’s Safety Advisor, Sam Steel, explains how to initiate your safety program and employee training so you’re not hit with a large fine from OSHA. Download the article now.