$16,550 per serious violation. 15 working days to respond.
You Just Got an OSHA Citation. Here’s What to Do Next.
The clock started when you received the citation. What you do in the next 15 working days determines whether penalties stay, increase, or get reduced.
Do These 5 Things Before Anything Else
- 1
Read the citation completely — every page.
Note violation type (serious, willful, repeat, other-than-serious), specific standard cited (e.g., 29 CFR 1926.501), proposed penalty, and abatement date.
- 2
Do NOT sign the citation as "agreed."
Signing without contest means you accept the violation and full penalty.
- 3
Mark your 15-working-day deadline on the calendar.
Count 15 working days (not calendar days) from date of receipt.
- 4
Gather your existing documentation.
Pull every document related to the cited standard: daily logs, training records, toolbox talk sign-in sheets, inspection checklists, certifications, corrective action records.
- 5
Request an informal conference with the OSHA Area Director.
Call the OSHA Area Office on the citation. Penalties routinely reduced 30-60%. Does not waive right to contest.
What Happens If You Don’t Respond
- The citation becomes a final order — penalties are no longer negotiable.
- If OSHA inspects again within 5 years, similar violations classified as repeat — penalties multiply up to 10x.
- Citation published on OSHA.gov as public record. General contractors, insurers, bonding agencies check this.
- Your Experience Modification Rate (EMR) increases, raising insurance premiums 20-40% for three years.
- Willful violations can trigger criminal referrals and debarment from federal contracts.
The Checklist Above Is What Our Citation Response System Organizes for You
6 structured modules that walk you through every step: classifying your citation, building your 15-day response timeline, mapping your existing documentation to cited standards, preparing for the informal conference, tracking abatement, and packaging everything if you need an attorney.
30-day money-back guarantee. Instant download. Not legal advice.
Common Questions
How long do I have to respond to an OSHA citation?
You have 15 working days from the date you receive the citation to file a Notice of Contest if you want to challenge it. Missing this deadline means the citation becomes a final order and penalties are no longer negotiable.
Should I pay the OSHA fine immediately?
No. Paying the fine is an admission that the violation occurred as cited. Before paying, review the citation classification, assess whether the violation description is accurate, and consider requesting an informal conference where penalties are routinely reduced 30-60%.
Do I need a lawyer to respond to an OSHA citation?
Not necessarily. Many contractors successfully handle informal conferences and citation responses on their own, especially for serious violations under $50,000 total. An attorney becomes more important for willful violations, repeat violations, or penalties exceeding $100,000.
Can OSHA penalties be reduced after a citation?
Yes. OSHA routinely reduces penalties during informal conferences. Reductions of 30-60% are common when contractors demonstrate good faith, provide documentation of corrective actions, and show a history of compliance efforts.