Seyfarth Synopsis: The DOL has published its 2020 increases to OSHA civil penalties.
We have blogged previously about the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) annual adjustments to the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA violations. The DOL has now finalized the 2020 inflation adjustments, which again nudge the penalties even higher. 85 Fed. Reg. 2292 (Jan. 15, 2020).
Under the 2020 rule, the new maximum OSHA civil penalties will be:
| 2019 Penalties | 2020 Penalties | |
| Other than Serious Violations: | $13,260 | $13,494 |
| Serious Violations: | $13,260 | $13,494 |
| Repeat Violations: | $132,598 | $134,937 |
| Willful Violations: | $132,598 | $134,937 |
| Failure to Abate (Per Day): | $13,260 | $13,494 |
The new OSHA penalty amounts are applicable to OSHA citations issued after January 15, 2020, for violations occurring after July 15, 2019.
Going forward, DOL is required to continue to adjust maximum OSHA penalties for inflation by January 15 of each new year.
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