OSHA proposes $364,100 against Janesville food manufacturer after two fatal kettle pressure releases

Federal OSHA cited IPMF LLC, operating as NaturPak, a food products manufacturer in Janesville, Wisconsin, following two pressure-release incidents at its facility that resulted in three worker deaths and two serious injuries in early 2026^[1]. The agency issued citations under 29 CFR 1910 general-industry standards - not the 29 CFR 1926 construction standards - and proposed a combined penalty of $364,100 on 20 August 2026^[1]. All penalties are proposed; IPMF LLC retains the right to contest them.

Two incidents, five weeks apart

OSHA investigators responded to the first incident on 12 February 2026 at the Janesville facility. A clogged vent line caused pressure to build inside an industrial kettle; the lid opened unexpectedly, releasing steam, hot liquid, and organic material onto two nearby workers. One worker was also struck by a projectile and suffered a concussion. Both were hospitalised, and one later died from complications.

On 18 March 2026 - five weeks later - a second kettle lid opened under pressure at the same facility, again releasing steam, hot liquid, and organic material. Three workers were burned; two died and a third was hospitalised. The March incident was classified by OSHA as a fatal/catastrophic case.

Violations cited

OSHA cited the employer across both inspections for the following, all under 29 CFR 1910 general-industry standards:

• Serious - kettle design and usage creating pressure and thermal burn hazards
• Serious - lack of quick access to emergency water near thermal hazard zones
• Serious - failure to assess personal protective equipment needs for thermal risks
• Serious - exposing workers to falls into the kettles
• Repeat - exposing workers to falls to lower levels
• Repeat - failure to develop, document, and implement lockout/tagout procedures for the kettles under 29 CFR 1910.147
• Repeat - failure to train employees on lockout/tagout procedures
• Other-than-serious - failure to notify employees working adjacent to permit-required confined spaces under 29 CFR 1910.146

OSHA proposed $115,850 in penalties for the February inspection and $248,250 for the March inspection, for a combined total of $364,100.

The repeat classifications indicate OSHA had previously cited the employer for substantially similar conditions. OSHA records show the agency previously fined NaturPak nearly $8,000 between 2020 and 2022 for a food-processing equipment safety violation that resulted in a worker having to get a limb amputated.

Contest period

IPMF LLC has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Proposed penalties are frequently reduced through the informal conference process or formal contest proceedings; the figures here reflect OSHA's initial proposal only and should not be treated as amounts already assessed or paid.

NaturPak said in a statement that it had worked collaboratively with OSHA during its review and is updating aspects of its production facilities and protocols.

What to watch

Whether IPMF LLC contests the citations will determine the final penalty amounts and whether any abatement timelines are modified. The repeat lockout/tagout findings are significant: under 29 CFR 1910.147, employers must maintain documented, equipment-specific energy-control procedures and conduct annual employee training - gaps that OSHA's inspection found persisted across both incidents. The authority having jurisdiction over any abatement plan is OSHA's Chicago Region area office.