For a second consecutive year, maximum fines for Department of Labor safety and health agencies increased to keep pace with inflation.
The 1.02 percent increase is in line with the Consumer Price Index inflation rate as of October 2017, the department said in Jan. 2 notice (83 Fed. Reg. 7) detailing the updated penalties.
The higher fines became effective Jan. 2, following the mandate of a 2015 law requiring the department to annually raise fines starting in 2017. Prior to the law, Occupational Safety and Health Administration fines hadn’t increased since 1990.
The 28 states and territories with their ...