HUMBOLDT PULP MILL - SIMPSON PAPER COMPANY

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, HUMBOLDT PULP MILL - SIMPSON PAPER COMPANY — a industry sector 00 facility located at 1900 BENDIXSON DRIVE, EUREKA, CA 95501 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 2 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $311,000.00. The inspection case was opened on 1988-12-28.

This facility represents one of the most severe enforcement actions in the OSHA SVEP database. Willful violations combined with penalties exceeding $100,000 indicate a pattern of deliberate non-compliance that poses an imminent danger to workers.

State Context: Within CA, this facility's penalty places it at the 100th percentile among 184,062 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $3,010.44.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 2 citations spanning 1 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 1 serious — A workplace hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm exists, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition. 1 willful — The employer intentionally and knowingly committed the violation, demonstrating either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the OSH Act or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning June 12, 1989 with the latest abatement deadline set for June 25, 1989. Of the 2 total citations, 2 (100%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, indicating substantial compliance with corrective action requirements.

Penalty Assessment: The per-citation average of $155,500.00 exceeds OSHA's FY2024 statutory maximum of $16,131 for serious violations, indicating the presence of willful or repeat classifications that carry enhanced penalty authority under Section 17 of the OSH Act.

The 1988 enforcement action against the Humboldt Pulp Mill reveals a stark disparity between routine equipment