By James L. Curtis, Jeryl L. Olson, Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The DOL and U.S. EPA have published their 2021 increases to civil penalties.
We have blogged previously about the annual adjustments to the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA and EPA violations. They have now finalized the 2021 inflation adjustments, which increase the penalties again.
Under the 2021 rule, the new maximum OSHA civil penalties will be:
| 2020 Penalties | 2021 Penalties | |
| Other than Serious Violations: | $13,494 | $13,653 |
| Serious Violations: | $13,494 | $13,653 |
| Repeat Violations: | $134,937 | $136,532 |
| Willful Violations: | $134,937 | $136,532 |
| Failure to Abate (Per Day): | $13,494 | $13,653 |
The new OSHA penalty amounts are applicable to OSHA citations issued after January 15, 2021, for violations occurring after July 15, 2020.
Readers familiar with EPA’s penalty structure know that environmental statutes typically set out a “per day” penalty, as well as a maximum statutory penalty. However, certain statutes allow for civil judicial enforcement that does not carry a maximum statutory penalty.
Under the 2021 rule, the new maximum EPA civil penalties will be:
| 2020 Penalties | 2021 Penalties | |
|
Clean Air Act Daily: Maximum (per violation): |
$48,192 – $101,439 $385,535 |
$48,762 – $102,638 $390,092 |
|
Clean Water Act Daily: Maximum (per violation): |
$22,320 – $55,800 $278,995 |
$22,584 – $56,460 $282,293 |
| RCRA Daily: | $61,098 – $101,439 | $61,820 -$102,638 |
| CERCLA Daily: (including EPCRA) Maximum (per violation): |
$58,328 $174,985 |
$59,017 $177,053 |
EPA’s 2021 penalties are effective for violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, where the penalty was assessed on or after December 23, 2020. EPA and DOL are required to continue to adjust maximum penalties for inflation by January 15 of each new year.
For more information on this or any related topic please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team.