NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC.
According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC. — a electric power distribution facility located at LOCKWOOD, BILLINGS, MT 59104 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 2 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $55,000.00. The inspection case was opened on 2007-06-18.
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 $55,000.00 is more than 12.7× 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 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 repeat — A substantially similar violation was found during a previous inspection and the original citation has become a final order.
Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning December 3, 2007 with the latest abatement deadline set for March 21, 2008. 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 $27,500.00 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.
Legal Significance (Repeat Violation):* The $50,000 penalty for
This facility's $55,000 penalty is higher than 87% 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, INC. cited for?
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC. received 2 citation(s) covering 1 distinct OSHA standards. Total proposed penalties were $55,000.00. The inspection opened on 2007-06-18.
How much was NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC. fined by OSHA?
OSHA proposed penalties of $55,000.00 against NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC. in BILLINGS, MT. Average per citation: $27,500.00.
Is NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC. a safe workplace?
Based on enforcement records, NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, INC. has a risk score of 27 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 $55,000.00 is above the industry average.