Which statement accurately describes a "de minimis" violation of the OSHA Act?

A "de minimis" violation refers to a minor infraction of safety standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Act that does not have a direct impact on employee safety or health. Such violations are often regarded as trivial and are not subject to penalties because they do not pose a significant risk to workers.

In the realm of OSHA violations, definitions and classifications matter greatly. A violation categorized as "serious" implies that there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a condition that the employer knew or should have known about. On the other hand, "willful" violations indicate that the employer intentionally disregarded OSHA standards or showed plain indifference to employee safety. In contrast, "de minimis" violations do not fall into these serious categories, as they lack any immediate or direct relationship to potential harm or danger.

Therefore, the essence of a "de minimis" violation is that it is inconsequential in the regulatory framework of worker safety, rather than a significant breach like those classified as serious or willful. Understanding this distinction is crucial for professionals working within safety and compliance disciplines.