HOG SLAT INC. DBA HEARTLAND PRODUCTS CO.

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, HOG SLAT INC. DBA HEARTLAND PRODUCTS CO. — a other fabricated wire product manufacturing facility located at 14494 X RD, COLUMBUS, NE 68601 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 17 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $30,161.15. The inspection case was opened on 2005-11-08.

The volume of citations issued during this inspection suggests systematic compliance deficiencies rather than isolated incidents. Facilities with 10 or more citations typically face comprehensive abatement requirements and may be subject to follow-up inspections.

BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 3.3 per 100 full-time workers — 22% above the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 2.3 per 100,000 workers.

Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $30,161.15 is more than 4.7× the national average of $6,436.62 for facilities in the Manufacturing sector (NAICS 332618). This sector encompasses 82,943 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $533.9M.

State Context: Within NE, this facility's penalty places it at the 98th percentile among 12,745 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $4,129.57.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 17 citations spanning 8 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 4 other-than-serious — The violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health but is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm. 11 serious — A workplace hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm exists, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning December 9, 2005 with the latest abatement deadline set for January 25, 2008. Of the 17 total citations, 13 (76%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, suggesting partial progress toward required corrective actions.

Penalty Assessment: The cumulative penalty of $30,161.15 reflects OSHA's gravity-based penalty calculation methodology, which considers the severity of potential injury, the probability of occurrence, the employer's size, good faith, and violation history. The per-citation average of $1,774.19 falls within the standard penalty range.

The enforcement record for Heartland Products Co. reveals a pervasive breakdown in fundamental mechanical and industrial hygiene controls within