OSHA Penalties: Maximum Fines per Violation

OSHA Penalties and Maximum Fines

Updated November 6, 2026

How Much Is an OSHA Fine?

As listed on OSHA’s website when we checked on 2026-11-06, the maximum federal penalty is $16,550 per serious or other-than-serious violation, $16,550 per day for failure to abate, and $165,514 per willful or repeated violation. State Plan states set their own amounts, which must be at least as effective.

Updated November 6, 2026 · Source: osha.gov/penalties, checked 2026-11-06.

The Categories

Other-than-serious: related to safety or health, but unlikely to cause death or serious harm.
Serious: a substantial probability of death or serious harm that the employer knew or should have known about.
Willful: intentional disregard or plain indifference to the rules.
Repeated: a similar violation was cited before.
Failure to abate: a cited hazard not fixed by the deadline.

Reductions and Help

OSHA may adjust penalties for size, good faith and history. Amounts are normally updated each January, so check OSHA’s page. Free help exists too: OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program gives small and medium businesses confidential advice, separate from enforcement, at osha.gov/consultation.

Avoiding Citations

Start with hazards and paperwork you control: the PPE checklist, the training finder and the 300 log.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change and State Plan states may differ, so confirm with the current standard or your state agency.

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