OSHA Publishes Maximum Fines for 2019 and Top Violations of 2018

OSHA published to the Federal Register Wednesday its maximum fines for jobsite violations for 2019, which go into effect for citations beginning today.

Since 2016, OSHA has indexed its annual fine increases to inflation, specifically, the Consumer Price Index. This year’s fine increases reflect a modest increase in consumer inflation.

Willful violations also carry a minimum fine of $9,472, up from $9,239 last year.

OSHA also recently published its list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites. Some are specific to the construction industry and some are for general industry, which can still be cited on home building sites.

1. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
2. Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
3. Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
4. Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
6. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
7. Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
8. Fall protection – training requirements (29 CFR 1926.503)
9. Machinery and machine guarding, general requirements (29 CFR 1910.212)
10. Eye and face protection (29 CFR 1926.102)