OSHA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 10/5

The OSHA Enforcement Roundup gives you insight into how and why OSHA assesses penalties for workplace safe & health noncompliance. 

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

New Jersey car wash faces $446,000 penalty due to alleged workplace safety violations discovered by OSHA.

OSHA found that the car wash service willfully exposed workers to hazardous energy by failing to lock out equipment prior to conducting maintenance activities and not using energy control procedures.

In addition, the employer was cited for two repeat violations for failing to have clear lockout procedures and specific instructions for controlling all energy sources and not training employees on equipment lockout/tagout processes, and five serious violations for failing to develop and implement a noise monitoring program, establish a baseline audiogram for employees within six months of exposure, train employees exposed to noise above 85 decibels, provide lockout/tagout devices, and attach such devices to machines prior to servicing them.

A Florida-based pipeline installation contractor faces a $165,415 penalty for alleged violations related to a fatal incident.

The U.S. Department of Labor has cited an Orlando-based pipeline installation contractor for willfully exposing employees to safety hazards after an incident claimed the life of a worker at a worksite in March 2026.

OSHA found that on March 17, 2026, the pipeline construction company employees were replacing a drill bit on a horizontal drilling machine when the pipe stem began to rotate and fatally struck the employee. The Agency cited the employer with a willful violation for exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

A Chicago construction employer faces $265,868 in proposed penalties for alleged safety violations including lack of training.

OSHA investigated two worksites operated by the employer and found that carpenters and general construction laborers were installing roof rafters and roof sheeting without fall protection, exposing them to falls of up to 25 feet.

The employer was cited with two willful violations for not providing fall protection, while working from heights during residential construction at the two worksites. OSHA also cited the employer with nine repeat safety violations for failing to provide head and eye protection, lacking handrails on stairways, and failing to make sure ladders extended three feet above access areas. Additionally, OSHA issued a serious violation for not having safe access to a platform, and an other-than-serious violation for lacking training certifications.

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Tags: OSHA Enforcement Roundup, workplace safety