Skyrocketing OSHA Fines: Is Your New Mexico Construction Workplace Compliant with OSHA’s Fall Protection Code?

OSHA fines continue to increase and it’s imperative that your workplace is compliant with the OSHA fall protection code.

If it’s not compliant, workers are placed at a huge risk of getting hurt with disastrous consequences.  It could mean large OSHA fines and could potentially put an end to your business.

OSHA implemented new and increased fines for workplace safety violations on January 23, 2019.  The increase is approximately 2.5% on OSHA’s 2015 revisions.  While many may not believe 2.5% to be a large increase, when you start with a hefty amount, an additional 2.5% could make a major difference.

If you ensure your workplace is adhering to the standards and regulations – especially those regarding OSHA fall protection – you can avoid being hit with these expensive fines.

OSHA’s Increased Fines

OSHA introduced new fines that were significantly higher than previous years in 2019.  Here is a news flash! OSHA workplace safety violations fines are going up. Once again, in 2022, there was another increase making the cost to business of violating the rules a huge hit to a business’ back pocket.

According to OSHA, these are the newest fines for non-compliance:

• Serious violations.  These now stand at $14,502 per violation – up from $13,260
• Lesser violations.  $14,502 per violation, an increase from $13,260
• Posting Requirement violations.  $14,502 per violation – up from $13,260
• Failure to Abate violations.  $14,502 per violation – an increase from $13,260
• Willful violations.  A whopping $145,027 per violation – an increase from $132,598
• Repeated violations.  Another massive $145,027 per violation – up from $132,598

According to OSHA records, the most common violations occur within the fall protection area. It’s crucial to know, implement and follow OSHA’s fall protection guidelines, especially if you are a CEO, COO, site manager or even a worksite employee.

Non-compliance can quickly result in hefty fines for your company, but even more importantly, it could result in serious harm to your property or equipment.  These guidelines are formulated to safeguard against these types of harm, specifically the greatest harm of all:  harm to your employees.