Inspection 349200956 OPENED OCT 5, 2026Open
19081 Highway 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
No citations from this inspection so far.
OSHA has inspected VPP Group, LLC 10 times in Wisconsin since 2009.
The latest one began on Oct 5, 2026 after a complaint, in Norwalk; the case is still open.
Those inspections ended with 56 citation items: 36 serious, 2 willful and 18 other-than-serious.
Penalties were first proposed at $562,941 and now stand at $157,565, 72% lower after settlements or reviews.
Recording criteria comes up most often in these citations: 7 items under 1904.4.
How that compares: the median penalty per cited inspection for manufacturing employers since 2015 is $4,872, and VPP Group, LLC averages $8,315 (1 cited inspection).
2 inspections on this page followed a fatal incident.
VPP Group, LLC also files yearly injury logs with OSHA, summarized below.
It reported 6 severe injuries to OSHA since 2015.
Want to know if OSHA cites VPP Group, LLC again? Add it to a watchlist and we will email you the morning the citation shows up.
Watch this companyInspection history
Inspection 342839347 OPENED DEC 19, 2017Closed
19081 Highway 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
Incident on Dec 12, 2017: Employee amputates finger while greasing a chain
At approximately 6:45 a.m. on December 12, 2017, Employee #1 was working in a slaughter house. Employee #1 was working from a step ladder greasing a chain that was approximately 12 feet in the air. Once Employee #1 applied grease to a section of the chain, Employee #2 would turn the chain on from a nearby control box. Employee #2 would let the chain run until Employee #1 told them to stop the chain so grease could be applied to the new section of the chain. While the chain was in motion Employee #1 left index finger was caught in-between the nearby chain and sprocket causing an amputation of the left index finger. Factors that may have contributed to the accident were that the conveyor chain was not shut down completely and not locked out while the employee was in close proximity of the chain.
| Citation and rule | Type | Proposed | Current | Issued | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation 1, item 2 29 CFR 1910.147(d) · Lockout/tagout |
Serious | $11,641 | $8,315 | Feb 15, 2018 | Final |
Inspection 339339335 OPENED AUG 21, 2013Closed
19087 Highway 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
No citations from this inspection.
Inspection 339339442 OPENED AUG 21, 2013Closed
19087 Highway 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
No citations from this inspection.
Inspection 339339566 OPENED AUG 21, 2013Closed
19087 Highway 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
No citations from this inspection.
Inspection 331103440 OPENED DEC 9, 2011Closed
19087 Highway 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
Incident on Dec 9, 2011 (fatal): An employee is electrocuted from contact with an energized p
On the morning of December 9, 2011, employees of a beef slaughter and processing facility were working to fix a water pipe. The pipe had been leaking, was located near the ceiling on the kill floor and needed to be repaired before production could start. Between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, multiple maintenance employees became involved in the repair which consisted of replacing a section of the pipe. The water had been shut off and the insulation was cut away from the pipe. The insulation and other surfaces in the area were wet from the leak. At approximately 9:50 AM, Employee #1 used a battery operated reciprocating saw to cut through the pipe which caused additional water to leak out. Employee #1 handed the saw to Employee #2 and within seconds, Employee #1 received an electrical shock. The power was shut off and ladders were positioned to carry Employee #1 down to floor level, but the employee died due to an electrocution. The most likely source of the electrical current related to the accident was a 220 volt fluorescent light below and adjacent to the leak. The fluorescent light was eight feet long, was not grounded and was not designed for wet locations.
| Citation and rule | Type | Proposed | Current | Issued | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation 1, item 1a 29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4) · Grinders and abrasive wheels |
Serious | $4,000 | $2,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 1b 29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9) · Grinders and abrasive wheels |
Serious | $0 | $0 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 2 29 CFR 1910.303(f)(2) · Electrical equipment, general requirements |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 3 29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5) · Grounding and circuit protection |
Serious | $7,000 | $3,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 4 29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i) · Electrical wiring methods |
Serious | $4,000 | $2,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 5 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(a) · Electrical wiring methods |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 6 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii) · Electrical wiring methods |
Serious | $7,000 | $2,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 1 29 CFR 1910.132(a) · Personal protective equipment, general requirements |
Willful | $70,000 | $35,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 2a 29 CFR 1910.305(e)(1) · Electrical wiring methods |
Serious | $70,000 | $7,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 2b 29 CFR 1910.305(j)(1)(iv) · Electrical wiring methods |
Serious | $0 | $7,000 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
| Citation 3, item 1 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(5)(ii) · Lockout/tagout |
Other-than-serious | $0 | $0 | Jun 7, 2012 | Final |
Inspection 313133357 OPENED APR 27, 2010Closed
19081 Hwy 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
| Citation and rule | Type | Proposed | Current | Issued | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation 1, item 1 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) · Noise |
Serious | $7,000 | $3,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 2 29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1) · Noise |
Serious | $7,000 | $3,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 3 29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i) · Noise |
Serious | $7,000 | $3,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 4 29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1) · Noise |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 5 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(2) · Hazardous waste operations and emergency response |
Serious | $2,500 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 6 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii) · Hazardous waste operations and emergency response |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 7 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1) · Eye and face protection |
Serious | $2,500 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 8 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1) · Respiratory protection |
Serious | $2,000 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 9a 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(2)(ia) · Bloodborne pathogens |
Serious | $2,000 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 9b 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(i) · Bloodborne pathogens |
Serious | $0 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 1 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1) · Noise |
Willful | $70,000 | $32,750 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
Inspection 313133142 OPENED APR 13, 2010Closed
19081 Hwy 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
| Citation and rule | Type | Proposed | Current | Issued | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation 1, item 1 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1) · Guarding floor and wall openings and holes |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 2 29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(iv) · Guarding floor and wall openings and holes |
Serious | $2,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 3 29 CFR 1910.24(f) · Fixed industrial stairs |
Serious | $2,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 4 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i) · Lockout/tagout |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 5 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i) · Lockout/tagout |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 6 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(4)(i) · Lockout/tagout |
Serious | $5,000 | $2,500 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 7 29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(i) · Lockout/tagout |
Serious | $2,500 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 8 29 CFR 1910.151(c) · First aid and eyewash |
Serious | $2,500 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 9 29 CFR 1910.176(b) · Material storage and aisles |
Serious | $2,500 | $1,250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 10 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii) · Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks |
Serious | $2,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 11 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(i) · Electrical equipment, general requirements |
Serious | $2,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
2 older inspections
Inspection 313132250 OPENED FEB 25, 2010Closed
19081 Hwy 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
| Citation and rule | Type | Proposed | Current | Issued | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation 1, item 1 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $70,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 2 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $70,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 1, item 3 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $70,000 | $1,000 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 1 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 2 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 3 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 4 29 CFR 1904.4(a) · Recording criteria |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 5 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(2) · Injury and illness log |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 6 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(2) · Injury and illness log |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 7 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(2) · Injury and illness log |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 8 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(2)(iii) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 9 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(2)(iii) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 10 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(2)(iii) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 11 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(3) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $250 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 12 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(3) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 13 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(3) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
| Citation 2, item 14 29 CFR 1904.32(b)(3) · Yearly injury summary |
Other-than-serious | $1,000 | $0 | Aug 25, 2010 | Final |
Inspection 313129140 OPENED JUN 22, 2009Closed
19081 Hwy 71 East, Norwalk, WI 54648 · Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering · OSHA's record · Phone and website on Google Maps
Incident on Jun 18, 2009 (fatal): Employee is killed when electrocuted by lighting
On June 18, 2009, Employee #1, an electrician, was repairing lighting in a kill floor area. He had climbed out onto a drip tray over the kill floor to access th e conduits where the suspected electrical fault had occurred. A coworker saw Emp loyee #1's body stiffen and then slump forward. CPR and an AED were administered , however the AED advised, "No Shock." Employee #1 was pronounced dead at the ho spital. The county medical examiner ruled the death as an electrocution.
| Citation and rule | Type | Proposed | Current | Issued | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation 1, item 4 29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i) · Safeguards for personnel protection |
Serious | $4,900 | $4,900 | Oct 22, 2009 | Closed |
| Citation 1, item 5 29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(ii) · Safeguards for personnel protection |
Serious | $4,900 | $2,450 | Oct 22, 2009 | Closed |
| Citation 1, item 6a 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)(i) · Working near live electrical parts |
Serious | $0 | $4,900 | Oct 22, 2009 | Closed |
| Citation 1, item 6b 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)(iva) · Working near live electrical parts |
Serious | $0 | $0 | Oct 22, 2009 | Closed |
| Citation 1, item 6c 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)(ivb) · Working near live electrical parts |
Serious | $0 | $0 | Oct 22, 2009 | Closed |
Injury and illness logs
From the Form 300A summaries employers file with OSHA each year. Rate = recordable cases per 100 full-time workers.
In 2019, the Norwalk site logged 10 recordable injuries or illnesses among about 157 workers: 4.8 per 100 full-time workers, against a median of 3.7 for its industry. Those cases cost 1 days away from work.
| Site and year | Workers | Cases | Days-away cases | Rate | Industry median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPP Group, LLC Norwalk · 2019 | 157 | 10 | 1 | 4.8 | 3.7 |
Severe injury reports
Employers must report any work-related amputation, in-patient hospitalization or loss of an eye to OSHA within 24 hours. 6 reports on file.
Jan 18, 2023, Norwalk: Hospitalization · cuts, lacerations · forearm(s)
An employee was butchering a cow when the cow's reflexes activated and caused the employee to lacerate their forearm with their knife.
Jan 17, 2023, Norwalk: Hospitalization · puncture wounds, except gunshot wounds · buttock(s)
An employee was on an assembly line cutting meat off bones. While trying to prevent a piece of meat from sliding off the belt, the employee was cut on the right buttock by their knife.
Dec 2, 2022, Norwalk: Hospitalization · fractures · knee(s)
An employee was removing a spinal cord from a carcass on a production line. The employee slipped while reaching to cut out the cord, fell from a stand, and landed on the concrete floor, suffering a broken knee.
Oct 18, 2018, Norwalk: Hospitalization · fractures · wrist(s)
An employee was moving cattle from a staging area into a horseshoe for slaughter. He was on top of a closed gate when a cow moved the gate. He lost his balance and fell about 5 feet to the concrete pad below, landing on his right arm and breaking his right wrist.
Dec 12, 2017, Norwalk: Amputation · amputations · fingertip(s)
An employee was greasing an overhead conveyor chain when the employee's left index fingertip was caught and amputated between the chain and sprocket.
Apr 6, 2016, Norwalk: Hospitalization · cuts, lacerations · wrist(s)
An employee was reaching for a liver on a conveyor-type table when his right wrist was lacerated by the knife he was holding. The laceration became infected and required hospitalization.
The rules behind these citations
Current text from the Code of Federal Regulations. Some citations were issued under older wording.
29 CFR 1904.29 · Injury and illness log
29 CFR 1904.29(b)(2)
(2) What do I need to do to complete the OSHA 301 Incident Report? You must complete an OSHA 301 Incident Report form, or an equivalent form, for each recordable injury or illness entered on the OSHA 300 Log.
29 CFR 1904.32 · Yearly injury summary
29 CFR 1904.32(b)(2)(iii)
(iii) If you are using an equivalent form other than the OSHA 300-A summary form, as permitted under § 1904.29(b)(4), the summary you use must also include the employee access and employer penalty statements found on the OSHA 300-A Summary form.
29 CFR 1904.32(b)(3)
(3) How do I certify the annual summary? A company executive must certify that he or she has examined the OSHA 300 Log and that he or she reasonably believes, based on his or her knowledge of the process by which the information was recorded, that the annual summary is correct and complete.
29 CFR 1904.4 · Recording criteria
29 CFR 1910.1030 · Bloodborne pathogens
29 CFR 1910.120 · Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
29 CFR 1910.132 · Personal protective equipment, general requirements
29 CFR 1910.133 · Eye and face protection
29 CFR 1910.134 · Respiratory protection
29 CFR 1910.147 · Lockout/tagout
29 CFR 1910.151 · First aid and eyewash
29 CFR 1910.176 · Material storage and aisles
29 CFR 1910.178 · Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks
29 CFR 1910.215 · Grinders and abrasive wheels
29 CFR 1910.23 · Guarding floor and wall openings and holes
29 CFR 1910.24 · Fixed industrial stairs
29 CFR 1910.303 · Electrical equipment, general requirements
29 CFR 1910.304 · Grounding and circuit protection
29 CFR 1910.305 · Electrical wiring methods
29 CFR 1910.333 · Working near live electrical parts
29 CFR 1910.335 · Safeguards for personnel protection
29 CFR 1910.95 · Noise
Other animal (except poultry) slaughtering employers in Wisconsin
- Fred Usinger, Inc. Milwaukee · 43 citations · $280
- JBS Green Bay, Inc. Green Bay · 29 citations · $241,906
- Supreme Meats Inc Saint Francis · 3 citations · $7,331
- Johnsonville, LLC Sheboygan Falls · 12 citations · $106,501
- Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. Cudahy · 5 citations · $20,262
- Stoneridge Markets Wautoma · 7 citations · $36,599
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA enforcement data. A citation is OSHA's allegation; employers can contest it, and the status column shows where each item stands. Something wrong on this page? Tell us.