When it comes to workplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does more than set rules — it enforces them. Employers who fail to maintain safe working conditions face citations and penalties that can quickly escalate into six-figure fines.
But what does a typical OSHA penalty look like? The answer depends on the type of violation, its severity, and whether it’s a repeat offense. For facility managers, understanding these penalties isn’t just about avoiding fines — it’s about protecting your people, your equipment, and your reputation.
OSHA penalties are designed to hold employers accountable for unsafe practices and to motivate compliance with safety standards. Each year, penalty amounts are adjusted for inflation, and OSHA actively enforces standards through scheduled inspections, complaint investigations, and incident responses.
Beyond the dollar amounts, violations can trigger:
- Increased inspection frequency.
- Damage to a company’s reputation.
- Lost productivity from required corrective actions or shutdowns.
Non-compliance costs far more than compliance.
OSHA categorizes violations into several types, each with its own penalty range (29 CFR §1903.15).
- Definition: A hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm, where the employer knew or should have known of the risk.
- Penalty: Up to ~$16,131 per violation.
- Definition: Related to job safety or health but unlikely to cause death or serious injury.
- Penalty: Up to ~$16,131 per violation, often reduced.
- Definition: Employer knowingly disregards requirements or shows plain indifference.
- Penalty: $11,553 to ~$161,323 per violation.
- Definition: A violation of a similar standard within the last five years.
- Penalty: Up to ~$161,323 per violation.
- Definition: Hazard not corrected by the abatement date set by OSHA.
- Penalty: ~$16,131 per day past the deadline.
- Definition: Failure to post citations, notices, or required posters.
- Penalty: Up to ~$16,131 per violation.
Understanding the categories of violations is important, but seeing how these fines impact real companies makes the message even clearer.
In our blog The Cost of Non-Compliance, we highlight real incidents where companies faced significant OSHA fines due to electrical safety hazards and violations. These case studies show just how devastating non-compliance can be — not only in financial penalties but also in reputational damage and operational disruption.
If you haven’t read it yet, we encourage you to explore those examples to see the true cost of OSHA citations in action.
Electrical hazards consistently rank among OSHA’s most frequently cited violations. Common issues include:
- Failure to implement Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures (29 CFR 1910.147).
- Unsafe electrical work practices (29 CFR 1910.333–335).
- Lack of arc flash protection and failure to train employees (aligned with NFPA 70E).
- Poorly maintained equipment (gaps tied to NFPA 70B requirements).
OSHA often cites NFPA 70E and NFPA 70B as industry standards of care.
OSHA fines are only the beginning. Facilities also face:
- Downtime and lost productivity when equipment must be shut down.
- Higher insurance premiums due to poor safety records.
- Reputation damage with employees, customers, and regulators.
- Employee turnover caused by unsafe working conditions.
When you consider both direct and indirect costs, compliance isn’t just safer — it’s more cost-effective.
At C&H Electric, we help facilities avoid citations and penalties by aligning their programs with OSHA and NFPA standards. Our services include:
- Predictive & Preventive Maintenance programs following NFPA 70B.
- Arc Flash Hazard Analysis and PPE Programs following NFPA 70E.
- Infrared Thermography to detect hazards before they cause incidents.
- NFPA 70E Training for qualified and unqualified workers.
Unlike inspection-only providers, we offer full-service compliance support — from assessments to corrective action.
Protect Your Facility Before OSHA Knocks
Typical OSHA penalties can range from $16,000 to more than $160,000 per violation. But the true cost of non-compliance is far greater.
Don’t wait for an inspection to uncover compliance gaps. Partner with C&H Electric to keep your facility safe, compliant, and prepared.
References
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2025). 29 CFR 1903.15: Adjustments to civil penalties. U.S. Department of Labor.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2023). Top 10 most frequently cited standards. U.S. Department of Labor.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2023). NFPA 70B: Standard for electrical equipment maintenance (2023 ed.). NFPA.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2024). NFPA 70E: Standard for electrical safety in the workplace (2024 ed.). NFPA.
- Safety by Design. (2024). OSHA violation types & OSHA fines list. Retrieved from https://www.safetybydesigninc.com/