🗞️ Drum Roll, Then Fire: OSHA Cites Wisconsin Beauty Maker for $275K in Proposed Penalties After Nitrocellulose Blast

Federal workplace safety investigators cited SV Labs Prescott Corp., a California-headquartered contract manufacturer of beauty, over-the-counter drug, and veterinary products, following an explosion and fire at its Prescott, Wisconsin plant. A 55-gallon fiber drum of nitrocellulose — a highly flammable compound commonly used in lacquers and nail polish — exploded and ignited a secondary fire involving other flammable liquids stored on-site.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that the company lacked an adequate new-hire safety program and failed to provide employees with chemical hazard training, respiratory protection training, respirator fit testing, and required medical evaluations. Investigators issued 18 total citations: 2 repeat violations for respiratory protection and hazard communication failures, 10 serious violations covering flammable liquid handling, fire extinguisher and forklift training and inspections, electrical hazards, and hazard communications, and 6 other-than-serious citations for recordkeeping deficiencies, lack of powered industrial truck training, and unsafe material handling. Total proposed penalties reached $275,694.

The company has contested the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, meaning the final penalty amount remains subject to change. The case adds to a broader pattern of regulatory scrutiny at the Prescott facility. In December 2025, the FDA issued a warning letter after a June 2025 inspection found the facility in violation of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations, including releasing a batch of sunscreen lotion contaminated with microbial growth without conducting a proper investigation — a product that was subsequently recalled. Separately, in October 2025, the Prescott City Council authorized a potential shutoff of SV Labs' sewer lateral connection after the facility repeatedly exceeded local limits for industrial wastewater discharge.

Key Points

• A nitrocellulose drum exploded at SV Labs' Prescott, WI facility, triggering a secondary fire involving flammable liquids on-site.
• OSHA issued 18 citations: 2 repeat, 10 serious, and 6 other-than-serious violations.
• Core failures included inadequate new-hire safety training, no respiratory protection program, and missing medical evaluations.
• Proposed penalty: $275,694 — subject to change as the company has contested the citations.
• The FDA separately warned the company in December 2025 for CGMP violations, including releasing a contaminated sunscreen lot that was later recalled.
• Prescott city officials also authorized a potential shutoff of the facility's sewer lateral connection in October 2025 over repeated wastewater discharge violations at the same facility.

Sources

Primary Source Author: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Primary Source: U.S. Department of Labor OSHA News Release — US Department of Labor cites Wisconsin beauty products manufacturer for repeat, serious safety violations following explosion (March 18, 2026)

Primary Source Link: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260318-0

Supplemental Links:

• OSHA: Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances
• OSHA: Respiratory Protection
• OSHA Establishment Search — SV Labs Prescott
• Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
• Plant Services: OSHA Cites SV Labs Prescott Corp. for Explosion
• Powder & Bulk Solids: Personal Care Products Manufacturer Fined After Explosion
• WBAY: Wisconsin Beauty Products Maker Fined for Serious Safety Violations
• FDA Warning Letter — SV Labs Corporation (December 9, 2025)