Final answer:
The penalty for an OSHA violation with a substantial probability of causing death or serious harm, which the employer knew or should have known about, is a fine of up to $7,000 for a serious violation and up to $70,000 for repeat or willful violations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The penalty for an OSHA violation when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and when the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard is a mandatory fine of up to $7,000 for a serious violation, and up to $70,000 for a repeat or willful violation. OSHA considers various factors when determining the fine, including the gravity of the violation, the size of the business, employer's good faith, and history of previous violations. Employers have the right to contest the citation, whereas workers can only challenge the deadline for resolving the issue.
Inspections can result from imminent danger conditions, catastrophic events, worker complaints, or targeted initiatives, and OSHA's aim is to ensure a safe workplace by enforcing standards such as the provision of fall protection, prevention of exposure to harmful substances, machine guarding, and offering necessary safety training in a language and vocabulary workers can understand.
OSHA's role extends to requiring employers to keep their workplaces free of serious recognized hazards as per the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, and to comply with all other safety and health standards to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.