1910.120 HAZWOPER: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Known as HAZWOPER, this standard covers cleanup at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, corrective actions at regulated treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, and emergency response to hazardous substance releases anywhere. Cleanup operations require a written safety and health program, site characterization, medical surveillance, and extensive training such as 40 hours for general site workers. Employers whose workers respond to releases must have an emergency response plan and train responders according to their roles.
What the standard requires
- Develop a written safety and health program for hazardous waste operations
- Train site workers before they perform hazardous waste duties
- Provide medical surveillance for exposed workers
- Prepare an emergency response plan for releases of hazardous substances
- Train emergency responders to the level matching their duties
Hazards it addresses
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Fires and explosions during cleanup or spill response
- Heat stress and injuries from protective equipment
Cited at waste treatment facilities, environmental remediation contractors, and plants where staff respond to chemical spills.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.120(q)(1) | Emergency response plan | 25 | 25 | $0 |
| 1910.120(q)(6)(i) | Training for emergency responders | 20 | 20 | $0 |
| 1910.120(q)(8)(i) | 18 | 18 | $0 | |
| 1910.120(e)(3)(i) | Training of employees at hazardous waste sites | 10 | 2 | $165,514 |
| 1910.120(q)(6)(iii) | Training for emergency responders | 10 | 10 | $0 |
| 1910.120(q)(6) | Training for emergency responders | 9 | 9 | $0 |
| 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(A) | Training for emergency responders | 6 | 6 | $0 |
| 1910.120(q)(3)(iv) | 5 | 5 | $4,942 | |
| 1910.120(q)(2) | 3 | 3 | $0 | |
| 1910.120(q)(3)(v) | 3 | 3 | $4,942 | |
| 1910.120(q)(6)(ii) | Training for emergency responders | 3 | 3 | $0 |
| 1910.120(b)(1)(i) | Written safety and health program for hazardous waste operations | 2 | 2 | $16,550 |
| 1910.120(q)(2)(ii) | 2 | 2 | $11,775 | |
| 1910.120(q)(2)(iv) | 2 | 2 | $5,912 | |
| 1910.120(q)(2)(v) | 2 | 2 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 140 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $2,472,225 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $2,399,118, 3% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 68%; Other-than-serious 24%; Willful 9%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 21 | 25 | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois | 13 | 14 | $0 | $0 |
| Maine | 8 | 12 | $384,878 | $383,478 |
| Connecticut | 7 | 8 | $560 | $560 |
| Texas | 5 | 22 | $1,809,055 | $1,792,505 |
| New Jersey | 4 | 5 | $36,648 | $30,974 |
| Ohio | 4 | 8 | $31,920 | $15,275 |
| Colorado | 3 | 13 | $56,839 | $33,550 |
| Virginia | 3 | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Oregon | 2 | 8 | $19,768 | $19,768 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 7 | $90,788 | $89,250 |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | $5,296 | $5,296 |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | $3,000 | $2,100 |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | $4,500 | $2,250 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 4 | $11,585 | $8,110 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | $3,200 | $8,200 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | $14,188 | $7,803 |
By industry
- Public administration: 35 inspections
- Manufacturing: 13 inspections
- Construction: 13 inspections
- Utilities: 8 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 5 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 2 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 1 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynbrook Vill DPW | Lynbrook, NY | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Buckman's Inc. | King Of Prussia, PA | Aug 18, 2026 | 2 | $8,038 | $6,500 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Porter Town DPW | Youngstown, NY | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hazen Research, Inc. | Golden, CO | Aug 11, 2026 | 2 | $11,916 | $7,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Dec 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Piscataquis County | Dover Foxcroft, ME | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $700 | $700 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lowell Regional Water Utility | Lowell, MA | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gorham Town Hall | Gorham, NY | Jul 31, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Oct 30, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Woodland Pulp, LLC | Baileyville, ME | Jul 24, 2026 | 5 | $380,678 | $380,678 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 10, 2026Contested Aug 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| BWC Terminals, LLC | Houston, TX | Jun 26, 2026 | 3 | $49,650 | $49,650 | ContestedAbatement due Jul 13, 2026Contested Jul 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| One Way Environmental Services LLC | Houston, TX | Jun 26, 2026 | 12 | $1,522,726 | $1,522,726 | ContestedAbatement due Jul 31, 2026Contested Jul 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Coastal Environmental Solutions, Inc. | Houston, TX | Jun 26, 2026 | 4 | $198,614 | $198,614 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 13, 2026Contested Jul 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Synthica St. Bernard, LLC | Saint Bernard, OH | Jun 24, 2026 | 3 | $3,547 | $2,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Huntington TN Hwy Dept Elwood Yard | Huntington, NY | Jun 17, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 7, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Veolia Water Industrial Services North America LLC | Saint Bernard, OH | Jun 16, 2026 | 3 | $11,823 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sofo Foods of Ohio, LLC | Toledo, OH | Jun 11, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lewistown Valley Enterprises, Inc. | Tamaqua, PA | May 28, 2026 | 5 | $82,750 | $82,750 | ContestedAbatement due Jun 24, 2026Contested Jun 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lotte Aluminium Materials USA LLC | Glendale, KY | May 21, 2026 | 1 | $3,000 | $2,100 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. | Holland, MI | May 20, 2026 | 2 | $4,500 | $2,250 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department | Findley Lake, NY | May 19, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 7, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Colchester, IL | May 11, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Schuyler County FPD | Rushville, IL | May 8, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lima Vill DPW | Lima, NY | May 6, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Nissequogue Village Hall & Police Department | Saint James, NY | May 6, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Pekin, IL | May 4, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| City of Winchester - Fire Dept | Winchester, IL | May 4, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of New Canaan | New Canaan, CT | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Amherst County Service Authority dba Lanum Water Treatment Plant | Madison Heights, VA | Apr 29, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Township of Toms River Department of Public Works | Toms River, NJ | Apr 27, 2026 | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | ContestedAbatement due Jun 9, 2026Contested May 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Wolcott | Wolcott, CT | Apr 27, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Durhamville Volunteer Fire Department | Durhamville, NY | Apr 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Colonial Metals Inc. | Elkton, MD | Apr 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 24, 2026Contested Apr 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC | Cleveland, TN | Apr 9, 2026 | 1 | $3,200 | $8,200 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sawtooth Cookhouse Crestline, LLC | Mountain Brook, AL | Apr 1, 2026 | 1 | $5,296 | $5,296 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Clyde Village Water Department | Clyde, NY | Mar 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lima Town Highway Dept | Lima, NY | Mar 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Orange | Orange, CT | Mar 10, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Rockport Terminals LLC | Aransas Pass, TX | Mar 9, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | ContestedAbatement due Mar 27, 2026Contested Mar 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services Rockland County Hazardous Materials Team | Pomona, NY | Mar 4, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of East Haven | East Haven, CT | Mar 3, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Madison | Madison, CT | Feb 27, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.134 Respiratory Protection (44 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (31 shared inspections)
- 1910.132 PPE General Requirements (22 shared inspections)
- 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens (22 shared inspections)
- 1910.303 Electrical General (19 shared inspections)
- 1910.157 Fire Extinguishers (18 shared inspections)
- 1910.156 Fire Brigades (12 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (10 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.120 require?
Known as HAZWOPER, this standard covers cleanup at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, corrective actions at regulated treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, and emergency response to hazardous substance releases anywhere. Cleanup operations require a written safety and health program, site characterization, medical surveillance, and extensive training such as 40 hours for general site workers. Employers whose workers respond to releases must have an emergency response plan and train responders according to their roles.
How often was 1910.120 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.120 (HAZWOPER) appeared in 81 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 140 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.120 is cited most?
1910.120(q)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 25 items: Emergency response plan
Which states cite 1910.120 most often?
The most citations under 1910.120 in this period were issued in New York, Illinois, Maine.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.120 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $0; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $0. Totals: $2,472,225 proposed, $2,399,118 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.120 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 34% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.