NEW AARGUS INDUSTRIES LLC.
According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, NEW AARGUS INDUSTRIES LLC. — a manufacturing facility located at 540 ALLENDALE DRIVE, WHEELING, IL 60090 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 4 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $193,648.00. The inspection case was opened on 2025-01-30.
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.
Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $193,648.00 is more than 23.0× the national average of $8,414.32 for facilities in the Manufacturing sector (NAICS 326111). This sector encompasses 52,095 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $438.3M.
State Context: Within IL, this facility's penalty places it at the 100th percentile among 88,899 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $3,496.90.
Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 4 citations spanning 1 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 3 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 16, 2025 with the latest abatement deadline set for July 14, 2025. Of the 4 total citations, 0 (0%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, which may indicate ongoing compliance gaps requiring further regulatory attention.
Penalty Assessment: The per-citation average of $48,412.00 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 enforcement action against New Aargus Industries LLC reveals a catastrophic breakdown in the facility’s Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) program, characterized by a rare and severe Willful violation of 29 CFR 1910.147(d). While the Serious citations for inadequate procedures, failed periodic inspections, and deficient training establish a foundation of administrative neglect, the Willful designation for failing to actually apply energy controls indicates a conscious disregard for employee safety or a state of plain indifference. In the context of plastics manufacturing, where high-speed machinery and thermal hazards are prevalent, the failure to physically lock out equipment during maintenance exposes workers to