Understanding OSHA Violations and Their Consequences

Workplace safety isn’t optional—it’s the law. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces safety regulations, and companies that fail to comply can face serious fines of over $160,000. These penalties vary based on the severity of the violation and whether the company has been cited before. Malcolm Ritchie, a Martin Supply Safety Professional, says these regulations are always created with worker safety in mind, and it’s up to the employer to make sure they stay within the guidelines.

“It’s safe to say, staying in the good graces of OSHA, keeping your facility audited and safe for your employees, is the best thing that you can do.”

 For safety managers and those responsible for compliance, understanding OSHA regulations is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the different levels of fines and what they mean for your business if you’re caught ignoring OSHA standards.

De Minimis Violations

A de minimis violation is the least serious type of OSHA violation. It occurs when a technical violation exists but does not directly impact health or safety. These violations do not result in fines, but OSHA may still document them and provide a verbal warning.

Serious Violations

A serious violation occurs when an employer knows (or should know) about a safety hazard that could cause serious harm or death but doesn’t correct it. Fines can be up to $16,550 per violation (as of 2024). For example, if a construction company fails to provide fall protection for workers on a roof, exposing them to a fatal hazard, they could be issued this type of fine.

Other-Than-Serious Violations

Occasionally, OSHA representatives will identify a violation that isn’t considered “serious.” These violations don’t directly cause death or serious injury but still impact workplace safety. OSHA can issue fines up to $16,550 per violation, though they may reduce or waive penalties if the issue is corrected promptly.

Example: A warehouse fails to properly label hazardous chemical containers. While not immediately dangerous, this creates a safety risk, resulting in an OSHA fine.

Failure to Abate Violations

Company owners may be issued a deadline to correct some different types of violations. If done by the deadline, OSHA could reduce a fine or erase it entirely. When OSHA sets a deadline for fixing a hazard and the company fails to meet it, a fine of $16,550 per day applies until the issue is resolved.

Example: OSHA orders a company to install safety guards on equipment within 30 days. If the company doesn’t comply, it faces daily fines.

Willful Violations

This is the most severe type of violation, where an employer knowingly disregards OSHA regulations. Fines can be as high as $165,514 per violation, and in extreme cases, company owners or managers may face criminal charges.

Example: A factory is repeatedly warned about machine guards but refuses to install them. An employee is seriously injured, leading to a willful violation fine.

Repeated Violations

If a company is cited for the same issue more than once, it may face fines up to $165,514 per violation. The actual fine, similar to the other types of violations, depends heavily on the severity of the infraction.

Example: A manufacturing plant was fined for failing to mark emergency exits. A follow-up inspection finds the issue still hasn’t been fixed, resulting in a repeat fine.

The True Cost of OSHA Fines

Beyond financial penalties, OSHA violations can lead to injuries, increased insurance costs, legal trouble, damage to the company’s reputation, and higher employee turnover. To avoid this happening to your company, you should always provide proper PPE and safety equipment for the job. Regular training is also an OSHA requirement and can help educate employees of workplace hazards and safety protocols. Finally, you can conduct safety assessments to determine if there are any hazards and quickly correct them. Martin Supply offers safety audits, PPE, and MRO products to help businesses stay compliant.

Contact your Martin Sales Rep or call 800.828.8116 to learn more.