This article goes over the various types of OSHA violations, why you might get them, and the monetary cost associated with them.

If you work in any industry that can be hazardous (i.e construction, manufacturing, energy, etc.), you’re likely familiar with the organization OSHA or their safety standards. However, you might not be as familiar with the consequences of non-compliance. OSHA works really hard to promote safety in the workplace and has established a series of fines to encourage compliance. In this article, we will discuss more about the organization, why compliance matters, the different kinds of OSHA violations, and the fines that you can expect for each violation.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or OSHA, is a government-backed organization whose primary purpose is to oversee workplace safety within the United States. It is responsible for:  

  • Establishing standardized safety measures
  • Protecting workers
  • Providing safety training/educational resources 
  • Inspecting workplaces 
  • Responding to worker complaints about safety
  • Investigating accidents/fatalities
  • AND enforcing compliance with their safety standards  

One of OSHA’s primary duties is to enforce their safety standards. As a result, they take compliance pretty seriously.

OSHA Violations - Hung up safety vests
OSHA Violations - Hung up safety vests

OSHA’s Legal Authority & The Need For Compliance

Before we get into the violation types, it is important to understand why compliance matters in the first place. 

Compliance with OSHA standards is important, because non-compliance can bring with it a whole host of unfavorable outcomes including: 

  • Increased risk of worker injury/fatality 
  • Disrupted operations
  • Destruction of property or product
  • Legal battles
  • Reputational damage 
  • Financial loss from hefty fines 
  • And so much more. 

While most of these consequences are hypotheticals that could come from lax safety measures, you can count on receiving hefty fines for OSHA violations. This is because OSHA was created by the American government and was founded in order to implement a federal law, the OSH Act. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has the legal authority to issue fines to companies who practice negligent safety. Therefore, compliance doesn’t just contribute to a safer working environment, it can also protect the livelihood and financial stability of your company.

OSHA Violation Types And Their Fine Values

So, what kinds of OSHA violations exist and why might you receive them? This section details the 5 kinds of OSHA violations, a description of the actions that could provoke a citation, and the fine amount issued for each. 

Types of OSHA violations and their associated penalties:

*Note: These values (current as of Jan 2025) may change over time with any adjustments made by the organization to account for inflation and other factors.

Violation Name Description Fine Values
Other Than Serious Violation Violations related to health and safety but that aren’t likely to result in a fatality or severe physical harm to an individual Up to $16,550 Per Violation
Serious Violation Violation with a high chance of causing death or severe physical harm and which the employer was aware of or should have known about $16,550 Per Violation
Failure to Abate Violations given to employers who fail to correct a previously cited violation within the allotted correction period, generally limited to 30 days. $16,550 Per day past the abatement date
Willful Violation Violations in which the employer has knowingly condoned actions/circumstances that could create a hazardous environment. Either through intentional action or neglectful management. $165,514 Per Violation
Repeat Violation Violations given to employers who are found committing a similar violation to one that they have previously received a citation for and that has been finalized. Any citations that are currently under review (possibly failure to abate) cannot become repeat violations. $165,514 Per Violation

Want to Simplify OSHA Compliance?

As we’ve discussed so far in this article, it is in your and your company’s best interest to maintain compliance with OSHA regulations. However, even the most well-intentioned or organized teams can still fall short. One of the greatest tools that can help you maintain compliance is software. Technology can take the guesswork out of compliance by helping you set inspection schedules, coordinate efforts, document and report actions, and prove compliance during audits. 

Here at InspectNTrack, we offer safety inspection software that can be used to manage all of your safety related equipment and systems. Schedule a demo today to learn more about our product and how it can help you avoid OSHA violations.

Conclusion

In America, it is imperative for companies to strictly abide by the workplace safety regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Those who don’t comply may find themselves dealing with a variety of issues, including hefty OSHA fines. This article details the 5 main OSHA violations, why they are given, and how much they cost. With this information, companies and individuals can do their part to avoid OSHA violations and maintain compliance.

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