BENCO STEEL INC
HWY 64 70 EAST, Hickory, NC 28603
Having inspection records is common for businesses in regulated industries. Data and methodology
Inspection records
May 7, 2025#348248998May 7, 2025Planned (H) · Partial scope, Safety#348248998$5,8273 viol.3 violations$5,827 in penalties
Inspection #348248998
Dates
- Opened
- May 7, 2025
- Closing Conference Date
- May 7, 2025
- Final Order
- Nov 7, 2025
- Closed
- May 26, 2026
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 39
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 3
- Violation Types
- 3 serious
- Initial Penalties
- $8,965
- Penalties on Record
- $5,827
- Site Address
- 2710 Highway 70 Se, Hickory, NC 28602
- Industry
- 423510 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers
Planned Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a planned inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Planned inspections are part of OSHA's scheduled enforcement activity rather than being opened directly from a complaint or reported incident at that worksite.
Violations
Violation list (3 of 3 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 1910.147 Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) OSHA citation code: 19100147 C01 | Serious | 1 | 1 | $2,000 | $1,300 | Jan 1, 2026 | - | Nov 7, 2025 |
| 01002 | 1910.212 General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding) OSHA citation code: 19100212 A01 | Serious | 1 | 1 | $2,000 | $1,300 | Oct 13, 2025 | - | Nov 7, 2025 |
| 01003 | 1910.212 General Requirements for All Machines (Machine Guarding) OSHA citation code: 19100212 A03 II | Serious | 2 | 1 | $4,965 | $3,227 | Jan 1, 2026 | - | Nov 7, 2025 |
May 13, 2015#317987733May 13, 2015Referral (C) · Partial scope, Safety#317987733$1,8202 viol.2 violations$1,820 in penalties
Inspection #317987733
Dates
- Opened
- May 13, 2015
- Closing Conference Date
- Jun 30, 2015
- Closed
- Nov 4, 2015
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 45
- Related Activity
- 1 referral
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 2
- Violation Types
- 2 serious
- Initial Penalties
- $5,600
- Penalties on Record
- $1,820
- Site Address
- 2710 Hwy. 70, Hickory, NC 28602
- Industry
- 423510 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers
Referral Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a referral inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Referral inspections can result from another agency, another OSHA activity, or another source referring a potential hazard to OSHA.
Violations
Violation list (2 of 2 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 1910.22 Walking-Working Surfaces - General Requirements OSHA citation code: 19100022 B01 | Serious | 1 | 5 | $2,800 | $0 | Aug 12, 2015 | - | - |
| 01002 | 1910.176 Handling Materials - General OSHA citation code: 19100176 B | Serious | 1 | 5 | $2,800 | $1,820 | Aug 12, 2015 | - | - |
Oct 19, 2009#313730202Oct 19, 2009Planned (H) · Complete scope, Safety#313730202$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #313730202
Dates
- Opened
- Oct 19, 2009
- Closing Conference Date
- Oct 19, 2009
- Closed
- Oct 20, 2009
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 34
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 2710 U S Highway 70 S E, Hickory, NC 28602
- Industry
- 423510 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers
Planned Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a planned inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Planned inspections are part of OSHA's scheduled enforcement activity rather than being opened directly from a complaint or reported incident at that worksite.
Feb 13, 2007#310473129Feb 13, 2007Planned (H) · Complete scope, Safety#310473129$02 viol.2 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #310473129
Dates
- Opened
- Feb 13, 2007
- Closing Conference Date
- Feb 13, 2007
- Closed
- Mar 15, 2007
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 40
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 2
- Violation Types
- 2 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 2710 Highway 70 E, Hickory, NC 28602
- Industry
- 423510 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers
Planned Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a planned inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Planned inspections are part of OSHA's scheduled enforcement activity rather than being opened directly from a complaint or reported incident at that worksite.
Violations
Violation list (2 of 2 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 1910.37 Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes OSHA citation code: 19100037 A03 | Other | 1 | 40 | $0 | $0 | Mar 20, 2007 | - | - |
| 01002 | 1910.1200 Hazard Communication OSHA citation code: 19101200 F05 I | Other | 2 | 6 | $0 | $0 | Mar 20, 2007 | - | - |
Jan 12, 2004#307404376Jan 12, 2004Planned (H) · Complete scope, Safety#307404376$2503 viol.3 violations$250 in penalties
Inspection #307404376
Dates
- Opened
- Jan 12, 2004
- Closing Conference Date
- Jan 23, 2004
- Closed
- Apr 26, 2004
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 41
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 3
- Violation Types
- 1 serious, 2 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $500
- Penalties on Record
- $250
- Site Address
- 2710 Highway 70 Se, Hickory, NC 28602
- Industry
- 331111
Planned Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a planned inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Planned inspections are part of OSHA's scheduled enforcement activity rather than being opened directly from a complaint or reported incident at that worksite.
Violations
Violation list (3 of 3 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 1910.147 Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) OSHA citation code: 19100147 E03 | Serious | 1 | 1 | $500 | $250 | Mar 16, 2004 | - | - |
| 02001 | 1910.157 Portable Fire Extinguishers OSHA citation code: 19100157 G02 | Other | 1 | 3 | $0 | $0 | Mar 16, 2004 | - | - |
| 02002 | 1910.253 Oxygen-Fuel Gas Welding and Cutting OSHA citation code: 19100253 B04 III | Other | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Mar 2, 2004 | - | - |
Jan 17, 2002#305087736Jan 17, 2002Complaint (B) · Partial scope, Health#305087736$01 viol.1 violation$0 in penalties
Inspection #305087736
Dates
- Opened
- Jan 17, 2002
- Closing Conference Date
- Jan 22, 2002
- Closed
- Feb 19, 2002
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 40
- Related Activity
- 2 complaints
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 1
- Violation Types
- 1 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 2710 Highway 70 East, Hickory, NC 28602
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Complaint Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a complaint inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. OSHA can open complaint-driven inspections after receiving safety or health complaints from workers or their representatives.
Violations
Violation list (1 of 1 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 1910.179 Overhead and Gantry Cranes OSHA citation code: 19100179 G01 IV | Other | 1 | 11 | $0 | $0 | Feb 20, 2002 | - | - |
Apr 28, 1987#3007291Apr 28, 1987Complaint (B) · Partial scope, Safety#3007291$06 viol.6 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #3007291
Dates
- Opened
- Apr 28, 1987
- Closing Conference Date
- Apr 28, 1987
- Closed
- Jun 23, 1987
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 20
- Related Activity
- 1 complaint
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 6
- Violation Types
- 6 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- Hwy. 64-70 East, Hickory, NC 28601
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Complaint Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a complaint inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. OSHA can open complaint-driven inspections after receiving safety or health complaints from workers or their representatives.
Violations
Violation list (6 of 6 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001A | 7B0302 OSHA citation code: 7B0302 A | Other | 1 | 20 | $0 | $0 | Jun 15, 1987 | - | - |
| 01001B | 7B0305 OSHA citation code: 7B0305 D | Other | 1 | 20 | $0 | $0 | Jun 15, 1987 | - | - |
| 01002 | 1910.179 Overhead and Gantry Cranes OSHA citation code: 19100179 G01 IV | Other | 1 | 4 | $0 | $0 | Jun 15, 1987 | - | - |
| 01003 | 1910.179 Overhead and Gantry Cranes OSHA citation code: 19100179 J03 | Other | 3 | 4 | $0 | $0 | Jun 15, 1987 | - | - |
| 01004 | 1910.179 Overhead and Gantry Cranes OSHA citation code: 19100179 M01 | Other | 1 | 4 | $0 | $0 | Jun 15, 1987 | - | - |
| 01005 | 1910.184 Slings OSHA citation code: 19100184 E01 | Other | 1 | 4 | $0 | $0 | Jun 15, 1987 | - | - |
Feb 3, 1983#14165864Feb 3, 1983Planned (H) · Complete scope, Safety#14165864$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #14165864
Dates
- Opened
- Feb 3, 1983
- Closing Conference Date
- Feb 3, 1983
- Closed
- Feb 16, 1983
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- Not recorded
- Owner Type
- Not recorded
- Union Status
- No
- Number of Employees
- 16
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- Hwy 64 70 East, Hickory, NC 28603
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Planned Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a planned inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Planned inspections are part of OSHA's scheduled enforcement activity rather than being opened directly from a complaint or reported incident at that worksite.
Penalty amounts may differ from final amounts after settlement or judicial review. How to read these records
About these records
A company page groups inspections with the same normalized employer name, city and state; it is not a legal-entity identifier (how pages are grouped).
This page displays public OSHA enforcement data. Status text follows the DOL inspection record first and may include citation-level context when the inspection feed and citation records are out of sync. Penalty amounts shown reflect the latest penalty amounts on record in the DOL database and may differ from initial assessments or final amounts. This is not an official OSHA resource.
OSHA's public enforcement data does not publish a "guilty" or "not guilty" field for inspections. The closest outcome fields available are the citation counts, penalty amounts, contest dates, final-order dates, and the inspection close date shown on this page. How to interpret these status fields. How initial and current penalties are recorded.
OSHA may publish multiple citation rows in the same inspection with the same standard and penalty fields. Separate rows can still differ in OSHA metadata such as citation identifier, recorded instance count, exposed workers, or gravity value. Contest and Final Order columns show citation-level dates from OSHA's enforcement record. A dash means OSHA's record does not currently show that activity for the citation.
Understanding These Penalties
The maximum penalty for a serious violation in 2025 is $16,550 per violation. For willful violations, the range is $11,823 to $165,514. The current penalty column shows the latest amount on record in OSHA's database for each citation. When the current penalty differs from the initial penalty, OSHA's records show that the amount changed during the enforcement process, but this page does not determine the specific reason for each change. Penalty amounts are set by OSHA and adjusted annually for inflation.
8 inspections, 1983 to 2025. Each row is one inspection; point at or tap a row for its dates and totals.
Source: DOL OSHA enforcement data (inspections and violations), linked via activity_nr (exact government key).
Penalty changes: Amounts shown reflect what OSHA's enforcement record publishes. The reason for any change is not stated unless OSHA's record explicitly says so.
Short cases: When a case closed soon after it opened, the closed marker is drawn slightly to the right so both markers stay visible. Each row's card shows the exact dates.