What Can Happen If You Violate OSHA’s Rules and Regulations?

Sutton Law Group • November 14, 2021

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, commonly known as OSHA, is a federal agency that focuses on keeping work conditions safe and healthy for employees across the country. To ensure that, they set safety standards, provide education and assistance in meeting them, and enforce them when they are not being met. They operate independently, but workers can also request their help when they feel unsafe in their workplace.

Man at the construction site — S. Miami, FL — Sutton Law Group

OSHA enforces their work condition standards by charging hefty fines to workplaces who violate them and endanger their employees. These fines are not empty threats. In 2018, OSHA reported that over 31,000 fines had been issued for safety violations, costing employers over $400 million dollars. The health, safety, and rights of employees are not taken lightly.


The most common violations of OSHA’s rules are failure to prevent falls in the workplace, failure to keep workers on scaffolding safe, failure to communicate potential hazards, failure to ensure safety on ladders, failure to contain hazardous materials, failure to protect machine operators and truck drivers, and failure to contain toxic chemicals that can lead to respiratory problems.


When it comes to violations, they are often (but not always) categorized into one of six “types” by OSHA:


  • De Minimis: A violation that is technical in nature but would not affect the safety of anyone involved. These violations are typically not fined.

  • Other Than Serious: A violation that could result in harm to health and safety but would not lead to injury or death. These violations could result in fines of $13,653.

  • Serious: A violation that could result in serious harm to health and safety but has not been corrected by the employer. These violations could result in fines of $13,653.

  • Willful: A violation that could result in serious harm to health and safety that was intentionally made by the employer. These violations could result in fines of $136,532 and jail time.

  • Repeated: A violation that could result in harm to health and safety that was already fined by OSHA or is very similar to a violation that was already fined by OSHA. These violations could result in fines of $136,532.

  • Failure To Abate: A violation that could result in harm to health and safety that has not been fixed since being fined by OSHA. These violations could result in a fine of $13,653 per day until they are fixed.

As you can see, following OSHA’s rules and regulations are extremely important – both for the health and safety of your workers, and for your company’s pocketbook. Even more damaging, an OSHA violation can harm and potentially destroy your reputation. For help making sure your business is up to OSHA’s standards, contact Sutton Law Group today! We are dedicated to your success.


Cruise line ship — S. Miami, FL — Sutton Law Group

Who is Responsible For Injuries On a Cruise Line?

By Sutton Law Group • January 2, 2022
At the moment, it seems like the cruise line industry may have been permanently injured by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sad truth, however, is that plenty of customers have been permanently injured by the cruise line industry over the years. Slips and falls and other injuries are common on cruise lines, not to mention accidents where customers fall overboard. When you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean, who is responsible for injuries sustained?
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How a Structural Building Violation Ended in a Major Court Case

By Sutton Law Group • December 13, 2021
In 2008 and 2009, John R. Sutton and Sutton Pomares Law Group PA worked on the case Worthington Communities Inc. vs. Mejia in the Florida Second District Court of Appeals. The case revolved around a construction worker who ended up paralyzed seeking damages from the owner of the site he was building. The case was of national interest, not only because of the tragic nature of the accident, but because of the law precedent it stood to set.
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It’s Not Weird Anymore: The Truth About Premarital Agreements

By Sutton Law Group • October 14, 2021
For years, the common perception about Premarital Agreements was that they were niche at best and damning at worst. A Premarital Agreement, sometimes known as a Prenuptial Agreement or a “Prenup,” is a legal contract created between two fiancées that dictates the ownership of their individual assets should the marriage fail. In the last decade, they have gone from relatively obscure to commonplace – so it might be time to reevaluate what we think that we know about them.
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Start Saving Now: 6 Tips To Help You Financially Prepare For Divorce

By Sutton Law Group • September 22, 2021
No matter what financial situation you are accustomed to, things will be different after a divorce. There are many life changes that come with a divorce – in living situation, emotional spectrum, and social life – but one of the changes that affects people most deeply are the major financial changes. If you are considering or starting the divorce process, one of the best things that you can do is to prepare yourself for the incoming financial changes. Here are our 6 tips to help you financially prepare for life during and after divorce:
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Wills vs. Trusts: Which is Right For Me?

By Sutton Law Group • August 16, 2021
You want to preserve your legacy for your loved ones and reduce undue taxation on your estate. Is a Will or a Trust the best way to do that? There is no set answer. The best Estate Planning tool for you will depend on your circumstances and your goals for the future. In this blog, we explain the pros and cons of Wills and Trusts so you can determine which one is a better fit for your priorities. 
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How to Recognize Credit Discrimination Against Your Florida Business

By Sutton Law Group • July 18, 2021
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5 Ways to Be a Better Coparent During the Summer

By Sutton Law Group • June 15, 2021
When summer break and activity schedules suddenly have to align with regular visitation, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. The summers are a time for family and fun, and when those things look different than they used to, it can be hard to adjust. You may be asking yourself: How do I coparent during the summer? The answer, of course, is: the same way I do the rest of the year. It just doesn’t always seem that simple.  Here are five ways that can help you handle coparenting during the most exciting time of the year:
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By Sutton Law Group • May 17, 2021
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By Sutton Law Group • April 19, 2021
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What Does a Real Estate Title Search Do?

By Sutton Law Group • March 21, 2021
Anyone who has been through the process of making a real estate transaction knows how difficult it can be. Every time you think that you are in the clear, another hurdle can pop up that you have to deal with. This is certainly true of both selling and purchasing, no matter if it is a new home or a commercial property. One of the most important processes that happens when you are ready to move towards closing is the title search .
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