The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced it is increasing civil penalties for 2019.  

Under the increase, the penalty for Serious, Other-Than-Serious, and Posting Requirements violations are now $13,260 per violation. The penalty for Failure-To-Abate violations is $13,260 per day after the abatement date. This represents an increase of some $326.  The penalty for Willful and Repeat violations now stands at $132,598 per violation, an increase of $3,262. 

The above increases will not take effect until the final rule itself is published to the Federal Register. However, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Office of the Federal Register remains closed and the date of publication itself remains to be seen. We will keep you apprised as events dictate.