PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC.
According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. — a reconstituted wood product manufacturing facility located at 500 12 AVE. WEST, COLUMBIA FALLS, MT 59912 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 30 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $37,275.00. The inspection case was opened on 2002-08-07.
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 $37,275.00 is more than 4.4× the national average of $8,414.32 for facilities in the Manufacturing sector (NAICS 321219). This sector encompasses 52,095 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $438.3M.
State Context: Within MT, this facility's penalty places it at the 99th percentile among 9,480 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $2,110.71.
Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 30 citations spanning 9 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 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. 3 other-than-serious — The violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health but is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm. 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 April 11, 2001 with the latest abatement deadline set for October 28, 2002. Of the 30 total citations, 10 (33%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, which may indicate ongoing compliance gaps requiring further regulatory attention.
Penalty Assessment: The cumulative penalty of $37,275.00 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 $1,242.50 falls within the standard penalty range.
The enforcement record for Plum Creek MDF, Inc. reveals a troubling nexus of systemic industrial hygiene
This facility's $37,275 penalty is higher than 99% of all penalized companies in the NAICS 321219 industry in MT. The state average penalty for this industry is $13,690.
Comparing penalized facilities in COLUMBIA FALLS, MT (Exact Industry)
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What OSHA violations was PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. cited for?
PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. received 30 citation(s) covering 9 distinct OSHA standards. Total proposed penalties were $37,275.00. The inspection opened on 2002-08-07.
How much was PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. fined by OSHA?
OSHA proposed penalties of $37,275.00 against PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. in COLUMBIA FALLS, MT. Average per citation: $1,242.50.
Is PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. a safe workplace?
Based on enforcement records, PLUM CREEK DBA PLUM CREEK MDF, INC. has a risk score of 47 out of 100. 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.
How does this penalty compare to the industry average?
The average penalty for Reconstituted Wood Product Manufacturing facilities is $8,414.32. This facility penalty of $37,275.00 is above the industry average.