OSHA Penalties

OSHA violations vary depending on frequency, seriousness and company size.  Below describes the penalties from which an employer can face from a violation.

Type of Violation Penalty Minimum Penalty Maximum

Serious $1,190** per violation $16,131 per violation

Other-Than-Serious $0 per violation $16,131 per violation

Willful or Repeated $11,524* per violation $161,323 per violation

Posting Requirements $0 per violation $16,131 per violation

Failure to Abate N/A $16,131 per day unabated beyond the abatement date [generally limited to 30 days maximum]

Below outlines the penalties imposed based on the severity or gravity of the violation:


The gravity of a violation is defined by the Gravity Based Penalty (GBP).

  • A high gravity violation is one with a GBP of $16,131.

  • A moderate gravity violation is one with the GBP ranging from $9,218 to $13,828.

  • A low gravity violation is one with a GBP of $6,913.


Severity Probability GPB Gravity OIS/GRAVITY Code

High Greater $16,131 High 10


Medium Greater $13,828 Moderate 5

Low Greater $11,524 Moderate 5

High Lesser $11,524 Moderate 5

Medium Lesser $9,218 Moderate 5

Low Lesser $6,913 Low 1

The following information describes the penalty reduction based on employee number:


Employees Percent Reduction

10 or fewer 80

11-20 60

21-30 50

31-40 40

41-50 30

51-100 20

101-250       10

251 or more 0