Workplace safety enforcement data for 254 inspected facilities in WATERTOWN.
WATERTOWN, South Dakota has 254 OSHA-inspected facilities with cumulative penalties totaling $1.4M. The city's average penalty of $5,527.25 is significantly above the state average of $2,764.62. Federal investigators have documented 1394 total citations across facilities in WATERTOWN.
Analyst Commentary
OSHA enforcement in Watertown, South Dakota, reflects a substantial regulatory footprint, characterized by 254 inspected facilities and a staggering 1,394 total citations. This high volume of citations relative to the number of inspections suggests that federal investigators frequently identify multiple concurrent hazards during site visits. Given Watertown’s economic profile as a regional hub for heavy manufacturing, power equipment production, and food processing, these industrial sectors likely drive the cumulative penalties of $1,403,922. With an average penalty of $5,527.25 per inspection, the data indicates that OSHA is moving beyond simple warnings toward more punitive financial measures to address non-compliance. A critical insight for compliance professionals in this jurisdiction is the high citation-to-inspection ratio; because investigators are uncovering an average of over five violations per visit, local firms must shift from reactive safety measures to comprehensive, "wall-to-wall" internal audits. Focusing on high-risk areas such as machine guarding and lockout/tagout procedures is essential to avoid the compounding financial impact of multi-violation inspections.
Watertown, South Dakota, presents a distinct OSHA enforcement landscape, with 254 facilities incurring a substantial cumulative $1,403,922 in penalties. This significant figure underscores the serious financial and operational implications of non-compliance for local businesses, indicating a rigorous regulatory environment where safety standards are actively enforced. The data suggests that employers in Watertown must prioritize robust safety programs to mitigate financial risk and ensure worker protection. MINNESOTA RUBBER COMPANY, DIV. OF QUADION CORP., stands out as a top employer in the area, notable for its manufacturing operations which often present complex safety challenges. Their prominence highlights the need for stringent safety protocols in industrial settings. The most common violation observed is 19101030, which pertains to Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. In plain English, this means many Watertown workplaces have failed to adequately protect employees from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, a critical concern in healthcare, laboratories, and certain service industries. This data is vital for both workers and employers in Watertown, empowering employees to understand their rights and enabling businesses to proactively address common safety deficiencies, thereby fostering a safer working environment across the city.
| # | Facility | Penalties | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MINNESOTA RUBBER COMPANY, DIV. OF QUADION CORP. | $660.0K | 40 |
| 2 | DAKOTA BODIES, LLC | $148.0K | 26 |
| 3 | GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC. | $73.0K | 8 |
| 4 | PRO-TEC ROOFING & SHEET METAL | $50.0K | 10 |
| 5 | FIEGEN CONSTRUCTION | $23.1K | 2 |
| 6 | CUSTOM FABRICATORS, INC. | $21.3K | 14 |
| 7 | SENTRY, LLC | $18.7K | 6 |
| 8 | J & J EARTHWORKS, INC. | $17.9K | 3 |
| 9 | PUETZ CORPORATION | $17.8K | 5 |
| 10 | EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ | $17.0K | 8 |
| 11 | AGWRX COOPERATIVE | $17.0K | 5 |
| 12 | WATERTOWN COOPERATIVE ELEVATOR ASSOCIATION | $16.5K | 9 |
| 13 | BENCHMARK FOAM, INC. | $12.5K | 2 |
| 14 | ORELLANA CONSTRUCTION INC | $11.1K | 6 |
| 15 | TOP FINISH CARPENTRY, LLC | $10.0K | 4 |
| 16 | TWIN CITY DIE CASTING COMPANY | $10.0K | 10 |
| 17 | DAKOTA DIRECTIONAL L.L.C. | $10.0K | 2 |
| 18 | MERIT GAGE, INC. | $9.8K | 3 |
| 19 | FIEGEN CONSTRUCTION CO. | $9.6K | 1 |
| 20 | DAKOTA TUBE, INC. | $9.5K | 4 |