Industrial hose manufacturer investigated by OSHA 8 times since 2013, receives $321K fine 

An OSHA investigation has determined that HBD Thermoid Inc. is continuing to expose workers to unsafe conditions. The industrial hose manufacturer has been inspected eight times since 2013. This latest investigation was conducted after the agency received a complaint. The company was ultimately cited for one willful, 11 serious, and two other-than-serious violations. These violations include a lack of machine guarding, failure to implement electrical safe work practices, and a lack of lockout/tagout procedures. HBD Thermoid faces $321,489 in proposed penalties. These penalties are on top of the $389,534 fine issued in December 2023 after the company was cited for two repeat violations, one willful violation, one serious violation, and one other-than-serious violation.  

In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Todd Jensen said, “The lack of safety procedures throughout the HBD/Thermoid plant and the company’s inaction shows that they remain indifferent to their obligation to protect their employees. For more than a decade, the company has jeopardized its employees’ well-being by not making workplace safety and health a priority.”