What could it cost you?
Run the numbers on OSHA citations, EPA violations, and your EMod. The cheapest safety program is almost always the one you build before the inspector shows up.
Enter what an inspection could find. Uses OSHA's maximum penalties, which were not raised for 2026.
| Serious, other than serious, posting | up to $16,550 each |
| Failure to abate | up to $16,550 per day |
| Willful or repeat | $11,823 to $165,514 each |
OSHA can reduce penalties for small employers, good faith, and a clean history, so treat the estimate as a starting point. States that run their own OSHA plans may use different amounts.
EPA penalties are counted per violation, per day. A missing SPCC plan or an unlabeled waste drum can add up fast.
Maximum civil penalties as adjusted in January 2025. EPA skipped the 2026 inflation adjustment, so these still apply. EPA rarely seeks the full maximum. Actual penalties depend on seriousness, history, cooperation, and how fast you fix it.
Your EMod multiplies your workers' comp premium. Claims usually stay in it for three policy years.
Simplified estimate: premium before EMod times (your EMod minus 1.00). Your actual premium also depends on rates, payroll, and credits.
Frequently asked questions
Are these the 2026 penalty amounts?
Yes. OSHA and EPA normally raise their maximums each January for inflation, but the 2026 adjustment was cancelled, so the 2025 amounts remain in effect.
Will OSHA really charge the maximum?
Usually not. OSHA reduces penalties for size, good faith, and history. But the maximum is the starting point, and repeat or willful findings remove most of the discounts.
How do I lower my EMod?
Fewer and smaller claims, faster return to work, and a payroll and claims review for errors. Our Workers' Comp and EMod service does all three.