Final answer:
A mitigating factor is a good faith effort to comply with regulations or corrective actions taken after a violation. Factors that can influence the reduction of penalties include size of the business, good faith, history of previous violations, severity of the violation, imminent danger to employees, and employee injury or illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mitigating factor that could lead to a reduced administrative penalty for a violation is the demonstration of a good faith effort to comply with regulations or corrective actions taken to address the violation. For example, if a company promptly reports a violation and takes immediate steps to correct it, this may be considered a mitigating factor. Additionally, a history of compliance with regulations and a cooperative attitude towards regulatory authorities can also be viewed as mitigating factors.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), factors that can influence the reduction of penalties include:
- Size of the business
- Good faith
- History of previous violations
- Severity of the violation
- Imminent danger to employees
- Employee injury or illness
By considering these factors, regulatory agencies may choose to reduce administrative penalties for violations.