Penalties
The penalties OSHA assesses are based on the type of violation.
In settling a penalty, OSHA has a policy of reducing penalties for small employers and those acting in good faith. For serious violations, OSHA may also reduce the proposed penalty based on the gravity of the alleged violation.
No good faith adjustment will be made for alleged willful violations.
OSHA cites employers, not employees: It's important to understand that OSHA does not issue citations or propose penalties against employees. Instead, employers are the ones held responsible for ensuring that their employees comply with OSHA standards.
Below are the penalty amounts for 2025:
| Type of Violation | Penalty Minimum | Penalty Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $1,221** per violation | $16,550 per violation |
| Other-Than-Serious | $0 per violation | $16,550 per violation |
| Willful or Repeated | $11,823* per violation | $165,514 per violation |
| Posting Requirements | $0 per violation | $16,550 per violation |
| Failure to Abate | N/A | $16,550 per day unabated beyond the abatement date [generally limited to 30 days maximum] |
| *For a repeated other-than-serious violation that otherwise would have no initial penalty, a GBP penalty of $472 shall be proposed for the first repeated violation, $1,182 for the second repeated violation, and $2,364 for a third repetition. | ||
| **This amount reflects the actual minimum penalty with all penalty reductions which rectifies error in the previous years' serious minimum penalty posted. | ||
For more information on OSHA Penalties, see 2025 Annual Adjustments to OSHA Civil Penalties
For more information on memos and other important enforcement topics see the OSHA Enforcement Memos website.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-8. What OSHA violation will NOT result in a possible "good faith" adjustment in penalty?
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