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OROSHARecord
Violations

Serious Violation

A violation where a workplace hazard could cause death or serious physical harm and the employer knew or should have known about it.

What It Means

Serious violations are the most commonly issued type of OSHA citation and carry mandatory penalties up to $16,131 per violation (2026 inflation-adjusted). For a violation to be classified as Serious, OSHA must demonstrate two conditions: first, that a hazard exists that could cause death or serious physical harm such as broken bones, amputations, burns, or concussions; and second, that the employer knew or should have known about the hazardous condition. Common examples include unguarded machinery, missing fall protection at heights above six feet, improper electrical wiring, and inadequate respiratory protection. Serious violations account for the largest share of all OSHA citations issued annually. On OSHARecord, a high count of serious violations heavily impacts a company's Safety Score because it indicates real risk of worker injury or death. The seriousViolations factor accounts for 40% of the overall Safety Score calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Serious Violation" mean in OSHA context?

A violation where a workplace hazard could cause death or serious physical harm and the employer knew or should have known about it.

Why does Serious Violation matter for workplace safety?

Serious violations are the most commonly issued type of OSHA citation and carry mandatory penalties up to $16,131 per violation (2026 inflation-adjusted). For a violation to be classified as Serious, OSHA must demonstrate two conditions: first, that a hazard exists that could cause death or serious ...

Related Terms

Willful Violation
A violation where the employer intentionally and knowingly committed an act that violates OSHA standards with plain indifference to the law.
Repeat Violation
A violation where the employer was previously cited for the same or substantially similar hazard within the past five years.
Other-than-Serious Violation
A violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health but would not likely cause death or serious physical harm.
Citation
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.
Safety Score
OSHARecord's proprietary rating system that grades companies from 0-100 (A through F) based on their OSHA violation history relative to industry benchmarks.

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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.