Tukwila Battery Manufacturer Fined $224k for Lead Exposure
Summary
Washington L&I fined Dyno Battery Inc. $224,320 for 16 violations after follow-up inspections found the company failed to fix lead exposure hazards first identified in July. Inspectors documented lead dust buildup in air cleaning devices that were blowing toxic dust onto workers, and found lead contamination on lunchroom tables. L&I issued a stop-work order on October 8 when violations remained unfixed, only lifting it in February after all hazards were corrected. The company is appealing the fine.
What changed
Washington L&I conducted a follow-up inspection at Dyno Battery Inc. after finding over a dozen safety violations last July. Despite repeated reminders and deadline extensions, the company initially ignored attempts to fix hazards. Inspectors documented lead dust buildup in air cleaning devices that were blowing toxic dust onto workers instead of removing it, and found lead contamination on lunchroom tables even after cleaning. L&I issued a stop-work order when violations remained unfixed, only lifting it after corrections were made. A $224,320 fine for 16 violations was issued in March 2026, including 9 violations specifically for failure to fix earlier problems.
Battery manufacturers and industrial employers with lead exposure risks must ensure engineering controls are functioning properly and not creating additional hazards. Air cleaning devices must effectively remove contaminants rather than redistribute them. Break areas must be monitored for cross-contamination. Companies facing L&I citations should prioritize immediate remediation to avoid stop-work orders that halt operations entirely. The substantial fine demonstrates Washington's commitment to enforcing occupational safety standards.
What to do next
- Review workplace lead exposure controls and air filtration systems for effectiveness
- Inspect lunchroom and break areas for lead contamination and ensure proper cleaning protocols
- Verify that all previously identified safety violations have been fully corrected and documented
Penalties
$224,320 fine for 16 violations; stop-work order issued Oct 8, 2025 and lifted Feb 2026
Archived snapshot
Apr 9, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
L&I halted production at battery manufacturer, issued fines after workers exposed to toxic lead
April 9, 2026 #26-05 TUKWILA – A Seattle manufacturer of batteries for trains, boats, forklifts, and golf carts is facing nearly $225,000 in fines from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) after knowingly exposing workers to lead levels more than four times the safe limit and not fixing the problem.
The new fines came from a follow-up inspection L&I conducted to see if more than a dozen safety violations found last July at Dyno Battery, Inc. had been fixed as required. Despite repeated reminders and deadline extensions, the company initially ignored L&I’s attempts to get them to fix any of the hazards.
Among the violations inspectors photographed was an inch of lead dust built up in air cleaning devices known as air showers. These devices, meant to clean the lead out of the air, were actually blowing the toxic dust onto workers. Inspectors also found lead buildup on lunchroom tables even after they had been cleaned.
Exposure to high concentrations of lead dust can lead to neurological damage, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems.
Company ordered to stop work immediately
On Oct. 8, when they found the violations had not been fixed and workers were still being exposed to lead, L&I inspectors placed an Order of Immediate Restraint (OIR) to stop all work in the battery assembly area.
“It’s rare, but if it’s necessary to protect worker health and safety from an immediate risk, we can and do close down operations at a business until the hazards are fixed,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
“At Dyno Battery, we’re seeing what can happen when a company refuses to fix ongoing issues.”
L&I lifted the stop-work order in February only after all of the violations were corrected.
On March 9, L&I issued a $224,320 fine for 16 violations. Nine of the 16 were for their failure to fix those earlier problems. The company is appealing.
Money collected from fines goes into the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping workers and families of those who have died on the job.
For media information: Dina Lorraine, L&I Public Affairs, 360-972-4868.
Connect with L&I:
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X (x.com/lniwa)
L&I photo shows a worker in the battery production area. Stacks of lead plates can be seen in the background.
An air shower that was supposed to clean the lead out of the air was instead blowing even more toxic dust onto the workers.
Communication Services | www.Lni.wa.gov/news-events
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