What It Means
After completing an inspection and finding violations, OSHA issues citations to the employer. Each citation describes the specific nature of the violation, identifies the OSHA standard or regulation that was violated, proposes a monetary penalty, and sets an abatement date by which the hazard must be corrected. Citations must be issued within six months of the violation being discovered. The employer is required to post a copy of each citation at or near the location of the violation for three working days or until the hazard is abated, whichever is longer. Upon receiving a citation, the employer has 15 working days to contest it before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC). If the employer does not contest within this period, the citation becomes a final order and the penalty must be paid. OSHA determines penalty amounts based on the gravity of the violation, the employer's size, good faith efforts, and history of previous violations. On OSHARecord, citations form the core of each company's violation record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Citation" mean in OSHA context?
A formal written notice issued by OSHA to an employer describing the specific violation, the standard violated, the proposed penalty, and the deadline for correction.
Why does Citation matter for workplace safety?
After completing an inspection and finding violations, OSHA issues citations to the employer. Each citation describes the specific nature of the violation, identifies the OSHA standard or regulation that was violated, proposes a monetary penalty, and sets an abatement date by which the hazard must b...
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About This Data
Definitions based on OSHA standards, the OSH Act of 1970, and federal enforcement guidance. Penalty amounts reflect 2026 inflation-adjusted maximums. See our methodology.