NORTHWESTERN ENERGY
According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, NORTHWESTERN ENERGY — a electric power distribution facility located at 1653 LAKE HILLS, BILLINGS, MT 59105 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 5 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $51,800.00. The inspection case was opened on 2010-08-05.
Cumulative penalties significantly exceed the national median for OSHA enforcement actions. The penalty amount suggests multiple high-gravity citations, indicating conditions that presented a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to employees.
BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 2.4 per 100 full-time workers — near the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 7.0 per 100,000 workers.
Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $51,800.00 is more than 12.0× the national average of $4,328.89 for facilities in the Utilities sector (NAICS 221122). This sector encompasses 8,952 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $38.8M.
State Context: Within MT, this facility's penalty places it at the 100th percentile among 9,480 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $2,110.71.
Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 5 citations spanning 1 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 5 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 February 1, 2011 with the latest abatement deadline set for March 1, 2011. Of the 5 total citations, 3 (60%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, suggesting partial progress toward required corrective actions.
Penalty Assessment: The cumulative penalty of $51,800.00 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 $10,360.00 falls within the standard penalty range.
The enforcement record for Northwestern Energy’s Billings facility reveals a concentrated breakdown in high-voltage electrical safety protocols
This facility's $51,800 penalty is higher than 75% of all penalized companies in the NAICS 221122 industry in MT. The state average penalty for this industry is $39,057.
Comparing penalized facilities in BILLINGS, MT (Broader Sector)
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What OSHA violations was NORTHWESTERN ENERGY cited for?
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY received 5 citation(s) covering 1 distinct OSHA standards. Total proposed penalties were $51,800.00. The inspection opened on 2010-08-05.
How much was NORTHWESTERN ENERGY fined by OSHA?
OSHA proposed penalties of $51,800.00 against NORTHWESTERN ENERGY in BILLINGS, MT. Average per citation: $10,360.00.
Is NORTHWESTERN ENERGY a safe workplace?
Based on enforcement records, NORTHWESTERN ENERGY has a risk score of 12 out of 100. Cumulative penalties significantly exceed the national median for OSHA enforcement actions. The penalty amount suggests multiple high-gravity citations, indicating conditions that presented a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to employees.
How does this penalty compare to the industry average?
The average penalty for Electric Power Distribution facilities is $4,328.89. This facility penalty of $51,800.00 is above the industry average.