Occupational safety International framework and country guides
What are the penalties for breaking occupational safety rules in Saudi Arabia?
Part of: Occupational safety and health in Saudi Arabia: law, authorities and employer duties
Short answer
MHRSD fines OSH breaches under its violations table (Decision 112377, February 2026) by establishment size, often per worker: SAR 1,500 to 5,000 for not applying OSH rules, SAR 1,000 per worker for midday sun work. The Labor Law caps fines at SAR 100,000; closure is possible.
Mainly administrative fines imposed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) under its violations table, which sets an amount for each violation by establishment size and, for several OSH violations, multiplies it by the number of workers affected. In the table in force since February 2026 (Ministerial Decision No. 112377 of 21/8/1447 AH), not applying OSH rules and precautions costs SAR 5,000, 2,500 or 1,500, and putting a worker in the midday sun during the summer ban SAR 1,000 per worker. Behind the table, the Labor Law allows fines up to SAR 100,000 per violation, closure of the establishment, and compensation for injured workers.
Short answer
- Legal basis: Labor Law Article 229: a fine of up to SAR 100,000, closure for up to 30 days or permanent closure; the penalty may be doubled for a repeat offence, and the fine is multiplied by the number of persons affected.
- Who fines: MHRSD, under Article 230, up to half the maximum (SAR 50,000 or 15 days' closure) using its violations table; heavier cases and permanent closure go to court. Uncorrected violations count as new ones (Article 231).
- Size classes in the 2026 table: A (50 or more workers), B (21 to 49) and C (20 or fewer).
- Objection and payment: the employer may object within 60 days of notification; the objection does not suspend the fine, which must be paid within 60 days. The ministry may also agree a settlement, and a court appeal is open under Article 230.
- Other consequences: treatment costs and compensation under Labor Law Articles 133 to 140 where GOSI does not cover the worker; GOSI can raise the occupational hazards contribution to a maximum of 4% for employers who ignore safety instructions, and may claim allowances if an injury is notified late; SASO and Commercial Fraud Law penalties for non-conforming products.
OSH lines of the 2026 violations table
| Violation | A: 50+ workers | B: 21 to 49 | C: 20 or fewer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not applying OSH rules and precautions; liability for injuries to others on site (serious) | SAR 5,000 | SAR 2,500 | SAR 1,500 |
| Safety instructions not posted in all workers' languages, at least Arabic and English | SAR 1,000 | SAR 500 | SAR 300 |
| Fire precautions and firefighting means missing | SAR 1,000 | SAR 500 | SAR 300 |
| Work in open sun or bad weather without the required precautions, per worker (serious) | SAR 1,000 | SAR 1,000 | SAR 1,000 |
| First aid cabinet missing or not stocked as the implementing regulation requires | SAR 1,000 | SAR 500 | SAR 300 |
| Hazardous occupations: conditions for employing workers not met, per worker (serious) | SAR 1,000 | SAR 500 | SAR 300 |
| Establishment not covered by GOSI fails to treat an injured worker and pay all costs, per worker (serious) | SAR 3,000 | SAR 2,000 | SAR 1,000 |
The same table fines each unmet requirement of the OSH Management Regulation SAR 300, each unmet requirement of the unified work environment rules SAR 300, and a worker who does not follow protective instructions SAR 300. The midday ban (Decisions No. 1559/1 of 1431 AH and No. 3337 of 1435 AH) forbids outdoor work in the sun from 12:00 to 15:00 between 15 June and 15 September; oil and gas workers and emergency maintenance workers are excluded, provided they are protected from the sun.
Civil liability and insurance
Where a worker is not covered by the occupational hazards branch of GOSI, the Labor Law makes the employer pay all treatment costs (Article 133), full wages for 60 days of temporary disability and 75% after that (Article 137), and compensation for permanent total disability or death equal to three years' wages, with a minimum of SAR 54,000 (Article 138). Article 126 makes the employer liable for accidents to others who enter the workplace in the course of their duties or with the employer's permission, when caused by neglected technical precautions. For insured workers, GOSI's guidance says that if the employer notifies an injury late without an acceptable reason, GOSI may require it to pay the daily allowance for the period before notification.
Products and Ex equipment
SASO technical regulations make the supplier legally responsible for conformity. The technical regulation for equipment in explosive atmospheres (2023) prohibits making, importing or offering non-conforming products, allows market surveillance authorities to order withdrawal, recall or destruction at the supplier's cost, and refers to penalties under the Commercial Fraud Law.
Example: An inspector visits a 40-worker workshop (class B) in July at 13:30 and finds six workers welding in an open yard without shade, no posted instructions in Arabic, English and the workers' languages, and an empty first aid cabinet. Under the 2026 table the sun-ban fine is 6 x SAR 1,000 = SAR 6,000, the instruction violation SAR 500 and the first aid cabinet SAR 500: SAR 7,000 in total, which may be doubled for a repeat, and the violations must be corrected within the period set or they count again.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one fine per visit. Several OSH violations are multiplied by the number of workers.
- Quoting old amounts as current. The 2021 compliance guide table was replaced in February 2026; always state the year of the table used.
- Ignoring civil liability. Fines are only part of the cost; compensation and GOSI claims follow injuries.
Related on excodex
- Occupational safety and health in Saudi Arabia: law, authorities and employer duties
- What is the main occupational safety and health law in Saudi Arabia and who enforces it?
- How and within what time must a workplace accident be reported in Saudi Arabia?
Standards and further reading
- MHRSD violations and penalties table, Ministerial Decision No. 112377 of 21/8/1447 AH (9 February 2026): hrsd.gov.sa
- Labor Law Articles 121 to 148: hrsd.gov.sa; penalties, Articles 229 to 233: hrsd.gov.sa
- GOSI, employer questions on occupational injuries and contributions: gosi.gov.sa
- Ministerial Decision No. 1559/1 on outdoor work in the sun, English: hrsd.gov.sa
This article is general occupational safety and health information prepared by the excodex editorial team. It does not replace the applicable legislation, standards, manufacturers' instructions or the assessment of a competent OSH professional or occupational physician.
More questions on this topic
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- How and within what time must a workplace accident be reported in Saudi Arabia?
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Part of: Occupational safety and health in Saudi Arabia: law, authorities and employer duties