NORTHWESTERN STEEL & WIRE COMPANY
121 WALLACE STREET, STERLING, IL 61087
Having inspection records is common for businesses in regulated industries. Data and methodology
Inspection records
May 5, 1988#101523934May 5, 1988FatalityAccident (A) · Partial scope, SafetyFatality#101523934$01 viol.1 violation$0 in penalties
Inspection #101523934
Dates
- Opened
- May 5, 1988
- Closing Conference Date
- May 16, 1988
- Closed
- May 25, 1988
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 2,600
- Related Activity
- 1 accident
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 1
- Violation Types
- 1 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Accident Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as an accident inspection in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data. Employers must report work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or losses of an eye within 24 hours. An accident-related inspection does not by itself determine fault.
Incident Investigation Summaries
Incident investigation summaries linked to this inspection through OSHA's accident and injury enforcement data. These summaries describe the reported incident. The enforcement outcome for the linked inspection is in the inspection details above.
Employee burned to death by arc furnace
Violations
Violation list (1 of 1 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 1910.133 Eye and Face Protection OSHA citation code: 19100133 A01 | Other | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 | May 25, 1988 | - | - |
Oct 14, 1987#101412021Oct 14, 1987Programmed Other (K) · Complete scope, Safety#101412021$27,700187 viol.187 violations$27,700 in penalties
Inspection #101412021
Dates
- Opened
- Oct 14, 1987
- Closing Conference Date
- Jan 26, 1988
- Closed
- Oct 7, 1988
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 2,600
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 187
- Violation Types
- 75 serious, 1 willful, 1 repeat, 110 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $32,000
- Penalties on Record
- $27,700
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace St., Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Programmed Other Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a programmed other inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. The public DOL category label is preserved here without adding extra interpretation beyond the government label.
Violations
Violation list (5 of 187 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 5A0001 General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) | Serious | 1 | 60 | $1,000 | $750 | Apr 14, 1988 | - | - |
| 01002 | 5A0001 General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) | Serious | 1 | 2 | $400 | $300 | Apr 14, 1988 | - | - |
| 01003 | 5A0001 General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) | Serious | 2 | 2 | $400 | $400 | Apr 14, 1988 | - | - |
| 01004 | 1910.23 Ladders OSHA citation code: 19100023 A02 | Serious | 2 | 42 | $500 | $250 | Apr 14, 1988 | - | - |
| 01005 | 1910.23 Ladders OSHA citation code: 19100023 A03 | Serious | 2 | 13 | $500 | $400 | Apr 18, 1988 | - | - |
Showing the 5 violations listed first by citation identifier. This inspection has 187 total violations documented in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement database. The complete violation list is available at enforcedata.dol.gov.
Jan 29, 1987#2290096Jan 29, 1987Follow-Up (F) · Partial scope, Safety#2290096$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #2290096
Dates
- Opened
- Jan 29, 1987
- Closing Conference Date
- Jan 29, 1987
- Closed
- Jan 29, 1987
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 2,645
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Follow-Up Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a follow-up inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Follow-up inspections are used by OSHA after earlier enforcement activity and can be used to check later compliance status.
Dec 15, 1986#100081801Dec 15, 1986FatalityAccident (A) · Partial scope, SafetyFatality#100081801$1,1707 viol.7 violations$1,170 in penalties
Inspection #100081801
Dates
- Opened
- Dec 15, 1986
- Closing Conference Date
- Jan 29, 1987
- Closed
- Mar 9, 1987
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 2,645
- Related Activity
- 1 accident
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 7
- Violation Types
- 2 serious, 5 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $1,170
- Penalties on Record
- $1,170
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Accident Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as an accident inspection in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data. Employers must report work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or losses of an eye within 24 hours. An accident-related inspection does not by itself determine fault.
Incident Investigation Summaries
Incident investigation summaries linked to this inspection through OSHA's accident and injury enforcement data. These summaries describe the reported incident. The enforcement outcome for the linked inspection is in the inspection details above.
Employee struck and killed by falling piece of sludge
Violations
Violation list (5 of 7 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 5A0001 General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) | Serious | 3 | 10 | $810 | $810 | Feb 20, 1987 | - | - |
| 01002 | 1910.27 Scaffolds and Rope Descent Systems OSHA citation code: 19100027 D01 II | Serious | 1 | 10 | $360 | $360 | Feb 20, 1987 | - | - |
| 02001 | 1910.1200 Hazard Communication OSHA citation code: 19101200 F01 II | Other | 1 | 10 | $0 | $0 | Mar 17, 1987 | - | - |
| 02002A | 1910.1200 Hazard Communication OSHA citation code: 19101200 G02 IV | Other | 6 | 10 | $0 | $0 | Mar 17, 1987 | - | - |
| 02002B | 1910.1200 Hazard Communication OSHA citation code: 19101200 G02 V | Other | 6 | 10 | $0 | $0 | Mar 17, 1987 | - | - |
Showing the 5 violations listed first by citation identifier. This inspection has 7 total violations documented in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement database. The complete violation list is available at enforcedata.dol.gov.
May 14, 1986#2433811May 14, 1986FatalityAccident (A) · Partial scope, SafetyFatality#2433811$9001 viol.1 violation$900 in penalties
Inspection #2433811
Dates
- Opened
- May 14, 1986
- Closing Conference Date
- Jun 6, 1986
- Closed
- Jan 30, 1987
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- Yes
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 2,645
- Related Activity
- 1 accident
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 1
- Violation Types
- 1 serious
- Initial Penalties
- $900
- Penalties on Record
- $900
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Accident Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as an accident inspection in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data. Employers must report work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or losses of an eye within 24 hours. An accident-related inspection does not by itself determine fault.
Incident Investigation Summaries
Incident investigation summaries linked to this inspection through OSHA's accident and injury enforcement data. These summaries describe the reported incident. The enforcement outcome for the linked inspection is in the inspection details above.
Furnace panel wall fell on employee; skull fractured
Violations
Violation list (1 of 1 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001 | 5A0001 General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) | Serious | 1 | 2 | $900 | $900 | Jul 16, 1986 | - | - |
Dec 9, 1985#100080845Dec 9, 1985Complaint (B) · Partial scope, Safety#100080845$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #100080845
Dates
- Opened
- Dec 9, 1985
- Closing Conference Date
- Dec 10, 1985
- Closed
- Dec 12, 1985
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- No
- Owner Type
- Private
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 2,800
- Related Activity
- 1 complaint
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61087
- 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.
May 13, 1981#15654320May 13, 1981Planned (H) · Complete scope, Health#15654320$019 viol.19 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #15654320
Dates
- Opened
- May 13, 1981
- Closing Conference Date
- Sep 9, 1981
- Contested
- Oct 15, 1981
- Closed
- Oct 20, 1982
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- Not recorded
- Owner Type
- Not recorded
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 3,800
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 19
- Violation Types
- 13 serious, 6 other-than-serious
- Initial Penalties
- $2,330
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace, Sterling, IL 61081
- 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.
Violations
Violation list (5 of 19 shown)
| Citation | Standard | Type | Instances | Exposed | Initial | Current | Abatement | Contest | Final Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01001A | 1910.1025 Lead OSHA citation code: 19101025 C01 | Serious | 2 | - | $490 | $0 | Oct 12, 1981 | Oct 15, 1981 | - |
| 01001B | 1910.1025 Lead OSHA citation code: 19101025 E02 | Serious | 2 | - | $0 | $0 | Oct 12, 1981 | Oct 15, 1981 | - |
| 01001C | 1910.1025 Lead OSHA citation code: 19101025 F01 | Serious | 2 | - | $0 | $0 | Oct 12, 1981 | Oct 15, 1981 | - |
| 01002A | 1910.1025 Lead OSHA citation code: 19101025 D02 | Serious | 12 | - | $630 | $0 | Dec 9, 1981 | Oct 15, 1981 | - |
| 01002B | 1910.1025 Lead OSHA citation code: 19101025 R01 | Serious | 12 | - | $0 | $0 | Dec 9, 1981 | Oct 15, 1981 | - |
Showing the 5 violations listed first by citation identifier. This inspection has 19 total violations documented in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement database. The complete violation list is available at enforcedata.dol.gov.
Nov 18, 1980#15700628Nov 18, 1980Complaint (B) · Partial scope, Safety#15700628$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #15700628
Dates
- Opened
- Nov 18, 1980
- Closing Conference Date
- Nov 18, 1980
- Closed
- Dec 1, 1980
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- Not recorded
- Owner Type
- Not recorded
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 3,000
- Related Activity
- 1 complaint
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- 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.
Dec 20, 1979#15699549Dec 20, 1979Accident (A) · Partial scope, Safety#15699549$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #15699549
Dates
- Opened
- Dec 20, 1979
- Closing Conference Date
- Dec 20, 1979
- Closed
- Mar 10, 1984
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- Not recorded
- Owner Type
- Not recorded
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 4,300
- Related Activity
- 1 accident
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Accident Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as an accident inspection in the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data. Employers must report work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or losses of an eye within 24 hours. An accident-related inspection does not by itself determine fault.
Dec 20, 1979#15699531Dec 20, 1979Follow-Up (F) · Partial scope, Safety#15699531$00 viol.0 violations$0 in penalties
Inspection #15699531
Dates
- Opened
- Dec 20, 1979
- Closing Conference Date
- Dec 20, 1979
- Closed
- Mar 10, 1984
Inspection
- Advance Notice
- Not recorded
- Owner Type
- Not recorded
- Union Status
- Yes
- Number of Employees
- 4,400
Violations and Penalties
- Total Violations
- 0
- Initial Penalties
- $0
- Penalties on Record
- $0
- Site Address
- 121 Wallace Street, Sterling, IL 61081
- Industry
- Not classified in OSHA's inspection record.
Follow-Up Inspection: This inspection record is categorized as a follow-up inspection in the DOL OSHA enforcement data. Follow-up inspections are used by OSHA after earlier enforcement activity and can be used to check later compliance status.
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.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OSHA incident investigation data (`osha_accident` + `osha_accident_injury`). Linked via `rel_insp_nr` to the inspection activity number (exact government key). Injury, body part, source and event values are OSHA's own codes. OSHA states that these fields are not coded according to the requirements under the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS). Only the values present in the OSHA record are listed; an incident with no value that resolves in OSHA's code table shows "Injury details not recorded". Where a record covers several people, each field lists every value recorded across them.
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.
38 inspections, 1973 to 2000. 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.
Standards cited
Chemical exposure sampling
Sample results are listed in the record of each inspection that collected them.