OSHA Releases 2020 Citation Penalty Increase

OSHA

OSHA

For 27 years, from 1990 to 2016, OSHA citation penalty amounts remained the same. In 2016, citation amounts increased 78%, a significant increase to make up for the inflation over that 27 years.  Starting in 2017, OSHA began to increase the penalty amounts each year in line to keep up with inflation and 2020’s increase was just announced.

According to the announcement from OSHA, the official maximum penalty amounts for citations in 2020 will be as follows

  • Serious, Other-Than-Serious, and Posting Requirements: $13,494 (up from $13,260 in 2019)

  • Failure to Abate: $13,494 (up from $13,260) per day after due date

  • Willful or repeat: $134,937 (up from $132,598)

The increases amount to a 1.78% year over year, which is lower than last year’s 2.5% increase. States who have their own safety and health plans are required to at least match these increases.

OSHA also released a memo explaining how penalty amounts are assessed. There are many levels to decision, but in general, the higher the severity and probability of injury, the higher the penalty that will be given.

Full Story: OSHA Penalties | OSHA

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