HIOSH Issuing Extremely High Fines to Local Businesses

Hawaiʻi employers continue to face rising fines for workplace safety violations from Hawaiʻi Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) inspectors. “Compared to average fines and penalties nationwide, fines in Hawaiʻi have continued this upward trend,” says simplicityHR Director of Risk Management John Fielding.

“HIOSH is classifying even the smallest violations as very serious and could land an employer a $7,000 fine for a cracked electrical socket cover or even up to $12,000 for failure to have a proper lockout-tagout program in place,” says Fielding.

Penalty increases adjust for inflation consistent with both Hawaiʻi and Federal law. The law, specifically §396-10(o) of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) mandates an annual increase in civil penalties to align them with the civil penalties set by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA has increased fines for violations by 10-15%, with willful or repeat violations reaching over $165,000 per offense.

Fines aren’t limited to major violations—they can happen even if you’re unaware of the issue or facing a first-time citation. Here’s how to stay ahead and protect your business.

If HIOSH comes knocking, are you prepared?

In recent years, HIOSH added more inspectors who are doing more random inspections than in previous years. One of the easiest ways to keep costs low is by ensuring your workplace is safe and compliant with the law. Follow this simple checklist:

• Conduct regular safety audits and document findings.
• Keep written safety programs updated and accessible.
• Train employees on PPE, lockout/tagout, and emergency procedures.
• Prepare for surprise inspections—have records ready.
• Address hazards immediately and track corrective actions.

Your business may not get a warning or a chance to correct issues before being cited during a surprise inspection. If a HIOSH inspector arrives unannounced, you have options: allow the inspection or request to reschedule. A simple response like, “Our safety director isn’t available right now—can we set up a meeting at a later date?” is often acceptable.

Already a simplicityHR client? Contact our Safety & Risk Management Team today to review your programs and ensure your business is inspection ready.

Not a client yet? Let’s talk. simplicityHR is Hawaiʻi’s most trusted HR partner, helping thousands of local businesses stay compliant and avoid costly penalties. Our Safety & Risk Management experts provide hands-on guidance, training, and compliance support—so you can focus on running your business with confidence. Connect with us to learn how we can help.