This page lists what OSHA asks of employers, the dollar amounts and time limits, and the rules still moving. The OSHA overview gives the big picture, and the checklist and FAQs page turns it into a routine.
What the law requires
| Requirement | In plain words | Section |
|---|---|---|
| General duty | Keep the workplace free of recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm | 29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1) |
| Standards | Follow the OSHA standards that fit your work: general industry or construction | 29 CFR 1910, 1926 |
| Poster | Display the free OSHA poster where employees can see it | 29 CFR 1903.2 |
| Severe-event reports | Work-related death within 8 hours; in-patient hospitalization, amputation or eye loss within 24 hours | 29 CFR 1904.39 |
| Injury log | Unless exempt, record each recordable case on Forms 300 and 301 within 7 calendar days | 29 CFR 1904.29 |
| Yearly summary | An executive certifies Form 300A, posted February 1 to April 30; keep records 5 years and hand them over within 4 business hours when asked | 29 CFR 1904.32, .33, .40 |
| No retaliation | Do not punish people for using OSH Act rights, including reporting injuries | 29 U.S.C. 660(c); 29 CFR 1904.35 |
Key numbers and dates
| Item | Amount or date | Year in force | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serious violation, maximum | $16,550 | 2025 amount, in force for 2026 | 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Willful violation | $11,823 minimum, $165,514 maximum | 2025 amount, in force for 2026 | 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Online data submission | Due March 2: 2025 data on March 2, 2026; 2026 data on March 2, 2027 | 2026 and 2027 | 29 CFR 1904.41 |
| Who submits | Per site: 20 to 249 employees in a listed industry, or 250 or more and required to keep records: Form 300A. 100 or more in a higher-hazard listed industry: Forms 300, 301 and 300A | Current | 29 CFR 1904.41 |
| OSH Act retaliation complaint | Within 30 days after the violation; other whistleblower laws OSHA enforces differ | Statute | 29 U.S.C. 660(c) |
Source: eCFR 29 CFR 1903.15(d); Federal Register 2026-10456
Recent and pending changes
- January 1, 2024 (final): sites with 100 or more employees in the higher-hazard listed industries also send Forms 300 and 301 online each year.
- January 15, 2026 (final): Hazard Communication compliance dates moved back four months. Dates still ahead are November 20, 2026, November 19, 2027 and May 19, 2028; check the standard for the one that fits you.
- May 27, 2026 (final): the Department of Labor announced no 2026 penalty increase, because the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish its October 2025 consumer price index. It plans to review penalties in 2027.
Penalties and enforcement
OSHA issues citations and proposed penalties. An employer that disagrees must contest in writing within 15 working days of receipt (29 CFR 1903.15(a)), or the penalty becomes final. The independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission decides contested cases.
| Tier | Maximum (2025 amounts, in force for 2026) |
|---|---|
| Other-than-serious, or a posting violation | $16,550 each |
| Serious | $16,550 |
| Failure to fix by the abatement date | $16,550 per day beyond that date |
| Willful | $11,823 minimum, up to $165,514 |
| Repeated | $165,514 |
| Willful violation causing an employee's death | Criminal penalties, including jail, are possible |
OSHA's field manual, which is policy and not law, trims most proposed penalties by size: 70% for 1 to 25 employees, 30% for 26 to 100 and 10% for 101 to 250. For related topics, see payroll tax basics, workers' compensation basics, the FLSA guide and our Illinois overview.
Official sources
- Federal Register: Department of Labor 2026 civil penalty notice (2026-10456)
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1903.15, citations and penalties
- eCFR: 29 CFR Part 1904, recording and reporting injuries and illnesses
- OSHA: Injury Tracking Application
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.