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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has increased the maximum penalty for “willful or repeated” violations to $145,027 per violation from $136,532 per violation, the Department of Labor announced Thursday.

Maximum penalties for “serious and other-than-serious” violations have increased to $14,502 per violation, from $13,653 per violation.

The changes, effective for penalties assessed after Jan. 15, are due to cost-of-living adjustments for 2022.

“Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance,” the Labor Department said.

Under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act passed by Congress in 2015, agencies are required to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation no later than Jan. 15 of each year.

OSHA’s Penalties page has additional information.

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