OSHA cites SV Labs for 13 violations after explosion

OSHA News Releases

Filed March 18th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

OSHA has cited Wisconsin-based SV Labs Prescott Corp. for 13 safety violations following an explosion and fire involving nitrocellulose and flammable liquids. The agency proposed $275,694 in penalties. The employer has contested the citations.

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What changed

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations to SV Labs Prescott Corp., a beauty and personal care products manufacturer, following an explosion and fire. The agency cited the company for two repeat violations related to respiratory protection and hazard communication, and 10 serious violations concerning flammable liquids, fire extinguisher training, forklift operations, electrical hazards, and hazard communications. Additionally, six other-than-serious citations were issued for recordkeeping, powered industrial truck training, and material handling. OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $275,694.

SV Labs Prescott Corp. failed to implement a thorough new hire safety and health program, including providing adequate chemical and respiratory protection training, respirator fit testing, and medical evaluations to newly hired employees. The employer has contested these citations before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, meaning penalties and citations may be subject to change. Compliance officers should monitor the case status for any adjustments to the citations or penalties.

What to do next

Review new hire safety and health programs for chemical and respiratory protection training, fit testing, and medical evaluations.
Ensure compliance with standards for flammable liquids, fire extinguishers, forklift operations, electrical hazards, and hazard communication.
Monitor the status of SV Labs Prescott Corp. case before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission for potential precedent or industry impact.

Penalties

$275,694

Source document (simplified)

Notice: Information in some news releases may not reflect the current or final status of a case, including, but not limited to, the penalty amount(s) or classification(s).

OSHA News Release - Chicago Region

U.S. Department of Labor
PRESCOTT, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Wisconsin beauty and personal care products manufacturer after a 55-gallon fiber drum containing nitrocellulose exploded and started a secondary fire involving flammable liquids.

March 18, 2026

US Department of Labor cites Wisconsin beauty products manufacturer for repeat, serious safety violations following explosion

PRESCOTT, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Wisconsin beauty and personal care products manufacturer after a 55-gallon fiber drum containing nitrocellulose exploded and started a secondary fire involving flammable liquids.

Investigators with the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection into California-based SV Labs Prescott Corp. after the explosion and subsequent fire, and determined the employer did not have a thorough new hire safety and health program in place and failed to provide newly hired employees with chemical and respiratory protection training, respirator fit testing, and medical evaluations.

OSHA cited SV Labs Prescott Corp. for two repeat violations related to respiratory protection and hazard communication, and 10 serious violations related to flammable liquids; fire extinguisher training and inspections; forklift training and inspections; electrical hazards; and hazard communications. The employer also received six other-than-serious citations for recordkeeping violations, lack of powered industrial truck training, and unsafe material handling. The agency proposed penalties of $275,694.

The employer has contested the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

Learn about chemical hazards and toxic substances and respiratory protections. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA's compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.