WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: A sign is displayed at the U.S. Department of Labor Frances Perkins Building on May 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
JANESVILLE, Wis. - The U.S. Department of Labor cited a Wisconsin food manufacturer after two industrial kettle accidents involving hot steam and liquid left three workers dead and two injured.
Incident at NaturPak | Feb. 12, 2026
The backstory:
According to a news release from the US Department of Labor, inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration responded to the initial incident on Feb. 12, 2026, at IPMF LLC, operating as NaturPak.
The news release said the accident occurred when a clogged vent line caused pressure to build inside an industrial kettle, forcing the lid to open, releasing hot steam, liquid, and organic material onto two nearby workers.
In addition to being burned, one worker was struck by an object, resulting in a concussion. Both employees were hospitalized, and one later died from complications related to their injuries.
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Just a month later, on March 18, OSHA investigators responded to a second pressurized kettle incident. A lid opened, releasing steam, hot liquid, and organic material that burned three workers—resulting in two fatalities and another hospitalization.
Citations issued
Dig deeper:
According to the news release, OSHA issued the employer one serious citation for the design and usage of kettles leading to pressure and thermal burn hazards; a repeat citation for exposing workers to falls to lower levels; and a citation for failing to notify employees working adjacent to permit-required confined spaces.
The news release said OSHA also issued citations for lacking quick access to emergency water near thermal hazards. The employer also received citations for exposing workers to falls into the kettles and for failure to assess personal protective equipment for thermal risks.
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Additionally, OSHA issued repeat citations for failure to create, document, or implement lockout/tagout procedures for the kettles, and neglected to train employees on those safety protocols.
The agency issued citations with $115,850 in penalties related to the inspection opened on Feb. 12 and $248,250 in penalties for the inspection opened on March 18.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.