The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released several reminders and policy changes for 2019 to evaluate workplace safety, understand industry hazards and implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards. This Legal Alert will highlight two important reminders for workplaces seeking to comply with OSHA.
OSHA civil penalties will adjust for inflation
OSHA’s civil penalties amounts for violations of workplace safety and health standards are anticipated to increase in 2019, to adjust for inflation.
- New penalties for willful and repeat violations will be $132,598 per violation.
- Serious, other-than-serious, and posting violations are $13,260 per violation.
- Failure to abate violations are $13,260 per day beyond the abatement date.
Employers must post OSHA’s Form 300A
Each year, from February 1 to April 30, employers must post a copy of OSHA’s Form 300A, a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses. The summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are typically posted. Note that businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in certain low-hazard industries are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping and posting requirements.
This alert does not purport to be a substitute for advice of counsel on specific matters.
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