OSHA Construction Inspections Up 8% in 2026 — Documentation Gaps Most Costly

Programmed construction inspections are up roughly 8% year-over-year in 2026, with serious violations now reaching $16,550 per item and willful or repeat violations climbing to $165,514 per item — penalties that can be financially devastating for small and mid-size residential contractors in Oregon and Washington. The most costly penalties are now stemming from documentation failures — incomplete injury logs, outdated training records, and missing written safety programs — rather than from new rules alone, meaning contractors who invest in organized recordkeeping are significantly reducing their enforcement risk before an inspector ever sets foot on the jobsite.

Source: ABC Carolinas / OSHA Compliance Guide Read the full story: https://abccarolinas.org/osha-construction-compliance-2026-documentation-inspections-and-competitive-advantage-in-the-carolinas/