OSHA Penalty Amounts 2026
The complete 2026 federal OSHA civil penalty schedule, with minimum and maximum amounts by violation type. The maximums come from 29 CFR 1903.15(d); the serious and repeat minimums are agency policy floors from the Field Operations Manual, not from that paragraph. These are the national figures; a handful of State-Plan states set their own — see penalties by state.
2026 OSHA penalty table
| Violation type | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serious | $1,085 | $16,550 | Per violation. Reducible by size / good faith / history (CPL 02-00-164 Ch.6). |
| Other-Than-Serious | $0 | $16,550 | Per violation. |
| Failure to Post (Posting) | $0 | $16,550 | Per violation. |
| Willful | $11,823 | $165,514 | Statutory minimum $11,823 per willful violation. |
| Repeated | $4,256 | $165,514 | Per violation. The Field Operations Manual multiplies a repeat's gravity-based penalty by 2 or 5 (250 or fewer employees) or by 5 or 10 (above 250), within the cap. |
| Failure to Abate | N/A | $16,550/day | up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6) |
The 2025 amounts remain in effect for 2026 — OSHA made no inflation adjustment (OMB Memo M-26-11), and 29 CFR 1903.15 identifies January 15, 2025 as the effective reference for these figures. There are no industry or state multipliers and no flat 1.5x repeat multiplier — repeated violations are bounded by the $165,514 cap. Per-instance (egregious / EEEP) penalties are a discretionary exception, not the default.
OSHA penalty FAQ
What is the maximum OSHA fine in 2026?
The maximum OSHA civil penalty is $165,514 per violation for willful or repeated violations (29 CFR 1903.15(d)). Serious and other-than-serious violations are capped at $16,550 per violation.
Did OSHA penalties increase in 2026?
No. 2026 amounts unchanged from 2025 (no CPI adjustment; OMB M-26-11). Not an increase. The 2026 amounts are identical to the 2025 amounts, so it is incorrect to present 2026 as an "increase."
What is the minimum penalty for a willful OSHA violation?
The statutory minimum for a willful violation is $11,823 per violation, with a maximum of $165,514 (29 CFR 1903.15(d)).
How much can OSHA fine per day for failure to abate?
Up to $16,550 per day beyond the abatement date. up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6)
Can OSHA penalties be reduced?
Yes. For serious and other-than-serious citations, the Gravity-Based Penalty can be reduced for employer size (up to 70% for the smallest employers), good faith (up to 25%), and a clean 20% history reduction, per CPL 02-00-164 Ch.6 (rev. July 14, 2025).
Official sources
- https://www.osha.gov/memos/2026-05-21/2026-annual-adjustments-osha-civil-penalties
- https://www.osha.gov/penalties
- https://www.osha.gov/fom/chapter-6
Source: OSHA 2026 civil-penalty amounts under 29 CFR 1903.15(d), verified August 21, 2026. Canonical URL: https://hazcomfast.com/osha-penalties-2026.
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OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
Serious Violation
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