The Department of Labor has published its final rule on annual increases for OSHA civil monetary penalties for 2025. The increases adjust for inflation and are published annually in accordance with federal law. The newly published increases apply to any penalties assessed after January 15, 2025.  

What You Need to Know 

This annual increase is required by a law under the federal Inflation Adjustment Act with guidance from the Office of Management and Budget. State workplace safety agencies, such as Cal/OSHA and ADOSH, must raise their maximum penalties in line with OSHA’s increases to ensure their penalty levels remain equally effective. 

For citations issued on or after January 15, 2025, the maximum penalties for specific violations are as follows: 

• The maximum penalty for Serious, Other-Than-Serious and Failure to Post  Violations is $16,550.[i] 

• The maximum penalty for Failure to Abate Violations is $16,550 per day beyond the abatement date.[ii] 

• The maximum penalty for Willful and Repeat violations is $165,514.[iii] 

^{[i] An increase from 2024’s penalty of $16,131.} 

^{[ii] Up from $16,131 per day beyond abatement date.} 

^{[iii] An increase from 2024’s penalty of $161,323.}