OSHA Penalty Calculator
Estimate your maximum penalty exposure using the official 2026 federal amounts — then see why the real number is usually lower, and how to keep it that way.
Federal maximums for citations issued after January 15, 2026 (unchanged from 2025 — OSHA memo, May 21, 2026).
Estimate maximum exposure
Statutory maximums — actual proposed penalties are usually lower.
Maximum penalty exposure
$16,550
1 serious violation × $16,550 each
This is the statutory ceiling, not a prediction. OSHA's proposed penalties start lower and are often reduced further — see how below.
A hazard with substantial probability of death or serious physical harm that the employer knew or should have known about.
2026 maximum penalties at a glance
| Type of violation | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Serious | $16,550 per violation |
| Other-Than-Serious | $16,550 per violation |
| Willful | $165,514 per violation |
| Repeated | $165,514 per violation |
| Failure to Abate | $16,550 per day beyond the abatement date |
| Posting Requirements | $16,550 per violation |
Source: osha.gov/penalties — Federal maximums for citations issued after January 15, 2026 (unchanged from 2025 — OSHA memo, May 21, 2026).
Why real penalties are usually below the maximum
OSHA's Field Operations Manual starts each proposed penalty from a gravity-based amount — how severe the potential injury is and how likely it is to happen — and then applies reductions:
Employer size
Up to 70% off for the smallest employers — the scale slides with employee count.
Good faith
Up to 25% off for a documented, effective safety and health program — self-inspections included.
History
10% off for employers with no serious citations in recent inspections. Repeat offenders lose it — and worse.
Willful and repeated violations receive far smaller reductions — which is why preventing the second citation matters more than negotiating the first.
What happens after a citation — and the deadlines that matter
The penalty amount is only half the story. What you do in the first 15 working days usually determines what you actually pay.
- 1
Inspection and closing conference
The compliance officer walks the site, documents apparent violations, and explains them at the closing conference. OSHA has up to 6 months from the date of a violation to issue a citation.
- 2
The citation arrives by mail
It lists each alleged violation, its classification, the proposed penalty, and an abatement date. You must post a copy at or near where the violation occurred for 3 working days or until it's fixed, whichever is longer.
- 3
15 working days to respond
From receipt, you have 15 working days to request an informal conference with the OSHA Area Director, file a written Notice of Intent to Contest, or both. Miss the window and the citation becomes a final order that cannot be appealed.
- 4
The informal conference
Many employers resolve citations here. Area Directors can reclassify violations, extend abatement dates, and reduce penalties in an informal settlement — typically in exchange for prompt abatement and a commitment to a safety program.
- 5
Abatement and certification
Fix the hazard by the deadline and send OSHA certification that it's done — with documentation like photos or work orders for higher-gravity items (29 CFR 1903.19). Every day past the abatement date risks the failure-to-abate penalty above.
Penalties are paid to the U.S. Treasury — not to OSHA — and contesting in good faith pauses the payment clock for the items contested. Deadlines are counted in working days, not calendar days.
In a State Plan state? Your numbers may differ.
States that run their own OSHA-approved plans must adopt maximum penalties at least as effective as the federal amounts, but some — like Cal/OSHA — set their own schedules and extra violation categories. Check your state plan's current amounts.
This calculator is informational only — it shows statutory maximums, not what OSHA will propose or what you will pay, and it is not legal advice. OSHA Scan is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified by OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor. Consult a qualified safety professional or attorney about a specific citation.
The cheapest citation is the one that never happens
One serious violation can cost more than a year of safety software. Photograph your site and get an AI-assisted preliminary hazard check in about a minute — a fast second set of eyes before an inspector shows up.
Run a free scanPeople also ask
What are the maximum OSHA penalties in 2026?
For citations issued after January 15, 2026, the federal maximums are $16,550 per violation for serious, other-than-serious, and posting-requirement violations; $16,550 per day for failure to abate beyond the abatement date; and $165,514 per violation for willful or repeated violations. OSHA confirmed these amounts in its May 21, 2026 penalty memorandum — they are unchanged from 2025.
Does OSHA always charge the maximum penalty?
No. The maximums are statutory ceilings. Under OSHA's Field Operations Manual, the proposed penalty starts from a gravity-based amount tied to the severity and probability of harm, and can then be reduced — up to 70% for the smallest employers, up to 25% for demonstrated good faith, and 10% for a clean inspection history. Willful and repeated violations receive far smaller reductions.
What is the difference between a serious and a willful violation?
A serious violation exists when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a condition the employer knew about or should have known about. A willful violation is committed with intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, OSHA requirements — which is why its maximum penalty is ten times higher.
Do state OSHA plans use the same penalty amounts?
Not always. State Plans must adopt maximum penalty levels that are at least as effective as federal OSHA's, but some states — Cal/OSHA is the best-known example — set their own amounts and additional violation categories. If you work in a State Plan state, check that state's current penalty schedule.
Can I contest an OSHA citation or get the penalty reduced?
Yes. Employers have 15 working days after receiving a citation to file a Notice of Contest, and many first request an informal conference with the OSHA Area Director, where proposed penalties are frequently reduced in exchange for prompt, documented abatement. This calculator is informational only — consult a qualified safety professional or attorney about a specific citation.
What is the fastest way to reduce penalty exposure?
Find and fix hazards before an inspector does. Documented self-inspections and prompt abatement support good-faith penalty reductions and prevent repeat citations — the most expensive category. An AI photo scan is a fast preliminary check your crew can run on any job site, though it never replaces a qualified safety professional.
Reviewed by OSHA Scan Editorial
Last updated August 29, 2026
This content is produced by the OSHA Scan Editorial team and reviewed with AI assistance. It is general safety information, not legal or compliance advice. OSHA Scan is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified by OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor.
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