Skip to main content
Inspection outcome
Opened: June 10, 2025 · Closed: January 12, 2026
Serious citation issued

OSHA cited the employer for at least one Serious violation.

Safety inspection · Planned (Programmed) · Partial — limited to specific operations or areas

Violations4
Serious+4
Initial penalty$16,550
Current penalty$10,756
Accidents0
Duration216d
Summary

What happened in this inspection

On June 10, 2025, OSHA opened 159065 - H K Research Corporation’s inspection #348311002 at HICKORY, North Carolina. The case was administratively closed on January 12, 2026, 216 days after opening.

OSHA cited the employer for 4 violations totaling $10,756 in current penalties — reduced from an initial proposed total of $16,550. Of those, 4 were classified as Serious or worse.

Breakdown by classification
4violations total
Serious4100%

A Serious violation is one where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew (or should have known) of the hazard. Maximum penalty is ~$16,550 per violation. The majority of OSHA citations fall into this category.

Citations

Citations issued in this inspection

4citations issued
$10,756current penalty
↓ $5,794total reduction
Look up on OSHA.gov
Serious
Citation #01002A
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1)View full regulation text on OSHA.gov
Initial$8,275
Current$5,378reduced by $2,897
Serious
Citation #01001A
29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i)View full regulation text on OSHA.gov
Initial$8,275
Current$5,378reduced by $2,897

Standard codes link to the regulation text on OSHA.gov. The text describes the rule itself; the specific findings of this inspection appear above. To see OSHA’s official record of this inspection, search activity number 348311002 at OSHA Establishment Search.

Reference

About OSHA inspections

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducts inspections under several triggers: programmed targeting of high-hazard industries, employee complaints, workplace accidents, fatalities, and follow-ups to prior citations.

📋
Citations

Each citation specifies a section of 29 CFR, a severity tier, and a proposed penalty. Employers can contest citations through OSHA’s informal conference or before the OSH Review Commission.

Open vs closed

An open case has not yet been administratively closed — citations may follow or the case may close without action.

💰
Current vs initial penalty

Initial penalty is the proposed amount at citation. Current penalty is the post-conference / settlement figure on file today.

🔗
Trigger types

A = Accident, B = Complaint, H = Programmed, F = Follow-up. See the glossary for all codes.

About this inspection

OSHA classified this as Planned (Programmed) — a programmed (planned) inspection, typically targeting high-hazard industries.

Sources

Cross-check with OSHA directly

This page draws from the OSHA Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) via the DOL Open Data Portal. For the authoritative record, look up activity number 348311002 directly: