Nevada OSHA workplace safety violation penalties increase

The administrative penalties for workplace safety violations levied by the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against employers who are not in compliance have increased, effective Jan. 17, according to a news release from the state.

As a result of Senate Bill 40 — passed during Nevada’s 2019 Legislative session — the Division of Industrial Relations automatically adopts penalties in alignment with those imposed by the Department of Labor OSHA enforcement program.

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 requires the Department of Labor to annually evaluate its civil monetary penalties to adjust for inflation no later than Jan.15 of each year. As a result, Nevada OSHA’s administrative penalties will increase by 7.74%, effective immediately for any penalty assessed on or after Jan. 17, 2023, regardless of when the inspection was opened.

Nevada OSHA’s penalties for violations of the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Act are as follows:

• For willful violations, where Nevada OSHA demonstrates that an employer knowingly failed to comply with an OSHA standard, or demonstrated a plain indifference for employee safety, the maximum penalty increases from $145,027 to $156,259.

• For repeated violations, maximum penalties will increase from $145,027 to $156,259.

Penalties for serious violations, where workplace hazards that could cause an injury or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, the maximum penalty increases from $14,502 to $15,625.

• For each other-than-serious violation, the maximum penalty increases from $14,502 to $15,625.

• In instances where employers were previously cited and failed to correct violations, the maximum penalty increases from $14,502 to $15,625 per day unabated beyond the abatement date.

• For each posting requirement violation, the maximum penalty increases from $14,502 to $15,625.