On January 1, 2024, Cal/OSHA implemented increases in penalties for certain violations to align with inflation and state/federal laws. This annual adjustment, mandated by legislation passed in 2017, ensures consistency with federal OSHA penalties. The adjustment is based on the annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), with this year’s increase approximately at 3.24%.

What You Need to Know:

• Maximum penalties for certain violations have increased, though by a smaller margin compared to previous years.
• For citations issued on or after January 1, 2024, the maximum penalties are as follows:
  • General and Regulatory violations: $15,873
  • Willful and Repeat violations: $158,727
  • Minimum penalty for Willful violations: $11,337
  • Maximum penalty for violations classified as Serious remains at $25,000.
• Notably, penalties for violations classified as Serious, including Serious Tower-Crane and Serious Carcinogen-Use violations, remain unchanged at $25,000.

For inquiries or assistance with workplace health and safety programs, employers can reach out to Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424 or their local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices, and workers can speak with a Cal/OSHA representative by calling 833-579-0927 during normal business hours.

How We Can Help: Reliance Safety Consultants is dedicated to ensuring businesses maintain compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations. Our expert team can assist in navigating these updates and offer tailored safety solutions to safeguard your workplace and employees. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your organization’s safety initiatives.