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Employers › KY

Educational Services · Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

According to OSHA enforcement records (2010–2026), Kentucky State University ranks #38,293 of 99,447 penalized U.S. employers by total current penalty, with a concerning safety record: 12 violations across 2 inspections.

Upper half by penalty50% serious
$9,000
OSHA penalties
12
Violations cited
2
OSHA inspections
#38,293
of 99,447 penalized employers

Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY has been the subject of 2 OSHA workplace inspections and 12 citations since 2010, according to enforcement records from the U.S. Department of Labor. Total penalties assessed: $9,000. The employer also has 3 Wage and Hour Division (WHD) cases on record, covering Fair Labor Standards Act enforcement. All enforcement data below is sourced from the DOL public enforcement databases at data.dol.gov.

The record in one line

OSHA has inspected Kentucky State University 2 times over 1 year - more than twice a year on average. These inspections resulted in 12 violations, averaging 6.0 per inspection - a notably high rate. According to OSHA enforcement records, its total current penalty ranks #38,293 of 99,447 penalized U.S. employers (the upper half of penalized employers nationally). Of these, 6 were classified as serious - indicating hazards that could cause death or serious harm. Against the Educational Services industry average of 3 inspections per employer, this runs moderately below peers (0.8x the sector average) on inspection frequency. The Department of Labor also found wage violations, with $16,096 in back wages owed to 66 affected workers. For comparison, Cajon Valley Union School District in El Cajon, CA is another educational services employer with 2 OSHA inspections on record and $25,200 in current penalties.

6.0
violations per inspection
50.0%
of violations were serious
#38,293
of 99,447 penalized employers
$16,096
in back wages recovered

Compliance score

F 44/100
  • F OSHA safety compliance: 12 violations across 2 OSHA inspections (6.0 per inspection), vs. national p10 0.0 (best) / p90 5.5 (worst) among 145,626 inspected employers.
  • B Wage & hour compliance: $16K in back wages owed across 3 WHD cases ($5K per case), vs. national p10 $2K (best) / p90 $58K (worst) among 91,622 employers with a WHD case on file.
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How Kentucky State University compares on OSHA penalties

Total current penalty vs the Educational Services per-employer average

in penalties

What this shows Kentucky State University runs well above peers (3.0x the sector average) in total OSHA penalties.

Source U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA enforcement extracts As of 2026

Where this penalty ranks nationally

Total current OSHA penalty vs every U.S. employer with a nonzero penalty

$9,000 Bottom 39% least affordable more affordable than 39% of 99,447 U.S. employers with a penalty

$0–$5,000: 43,959 U.S. employers with a penalty (44%). Below this entry. $5,000–$10,000: 20,304 U.S. employers with a penalty (20%). This entry sits in this band. $10,000–$15,000: 11,027 U.S. employers with a penalty (11%). Above this entry. $15,000–$20,000: 6,546 U.S. employers with a penalty (7%). Above this entry. $20,000–$25,000: 4,175 U.S. employers with a penalty (4%). Above this entry. $25,000–$30,000: 2,877 U.S. employers with a penalty (3%). Above this entry. $30,000–$35,000: 2,036 U.S. employers with a penalty (2%). Above this entry. $35,000–$40,000: 1,493 U.S. employers with a penalty (2%). Above this entry. $40,000–$45,000: 1,095 U.S. employers with a penalty (1%). Above this entry. $45,000–$50,000: 785 U.S. employers with a penalty (1%). Above this entry. $50,000–$55,000: 5,150 U.S. employers with a penalty (5%). Above this entry. This employer $0 $55,000 every penalized U.S. employer, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more U.S. employers with a penalty. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA enforcement extracts · 2026

Does more inspection scrutiny mean more findings?

Each dot is one of 21 Educational Services employers with an OSHA inspection on record, placed by inspections and violations cited. The highlighted dot is Kentucky State University.

Frequently inspected, many findingsRarely inspected, many findingsFrequently inspected, clean recordBelow median on both1.92.022.02.003.16.39.412.6OSHA inspectionsViolations citedWEST ORANGE PUBLIC S…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 7ORO GRANDE SCHOOL DI…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 6CLIFTON E LAWRENCE S…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 5COVINA VALLEY UNIFIE…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 5CALIFORNIA STATE UNI…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 3STEPPING STONES GROW…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 1EAGLE POINT SD 9, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 6TN EDUCATION - YORK …, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 6JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEG…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 3COLLEGE OF MOUNT SAI…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 0MSAD 27, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 0SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUN…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 1PATERSON PUBLIC SCHO…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 2SUNY, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 7MORAVIA CSD ELEM SCH…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 8VALLEY CSD ADMIN BLD, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 4HARDIN CO. CUSD #1 K…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 4NORTH WILDWOOD MARGA…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 5COPPER HILL ELEMENTA…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 5PLEASANTON UNIFIED S…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 7Kentucky State Unive…, OSHA inspections: 2 · Violations cited: 12
Kentucky State University has 2 OSHA inspections on record and 12 violations cited. The crosshair marks the median among these Educational Services peers. Across this sector's tracked employers, more inspections is moderately associated with more violations found -- not a coincidence, but not a guarantee either.

Kentucky State University in the Educational Services enforcement ledger

Among 856 Educational Services employers with OSHA penalties on file, Kentucky State University ranks #303 at $9,000 current penalty. On wage-and-hour enforcement alone, Kentucky State University ranks #155 among 478 Educational Services employers with WHD recoveries ($16,096).

Combined federal exposure here: $9,000 OSHA penalties plus $16,096 WHD back wages (64.1% of the combined total is wage recovery).

How Kentucky State University Compares

Kentucky State University's 6.00 violations per inspection compares to the Educational Services sector average of 5.7 violations per employer.

Against the Educational Services industry average of $3,025 per employer, this employer's current OSHA penalty runs well above peers (3.0x the sector average).

Enforcement detail

OSHA Inspection History

Total Inspections

2

First Inspection

2013-12-17

Last Inspection

2015-02-09

Inspection Span

1 yr

Violations / Inspection

6.0

Avg Penalty / Inspection

$4,500

Industry Avg / Inspection

$1,199

What this shows 2 inspections over 1 year, averaging 6.0 violations per visit. That's $4,500 per inspection vs. the Educational Services average of $1,199.

Enforcement detail

Violation Breakdown

6

Serious

50.0% of total

0

Willful

0.0% of total

0

Repeat

0.0% of total

6

Other-Than-Serious

50.0% of total

What this shows Serious violations involve hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm. Willful violations indicate intentional or knowing disregard of the law. Repeat violations are for hazards previously cited within the past 5 years.

Enforcement detail

Penalty Analysis

Initial Penalty Assessed

$34,000

Current Penalty Amount

$9,000

Penalty Reduction

73.5%

Combined Impact (OSHA + WHD)

$25,096

What this shows Penalties were reduced by $25,000 from the initial assessment of $34,000. Reductions may result from informal settlements, formal contests, or negotiated agreements with OSHA.

Wage & Hour Findings

WHD Cases
3
Back Wages Owed
$16,096
Employees Affected
66
WHD Violations
555
Avg Back Wages per Employee
$244
Avg Back Wages per CaseBelow average
$5,365

The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found that Kentucky State University owed $16,096 in back wages to 66 employees across 3 cases and 555 violations. WHD enforces federal labor laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), covering minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor standards.

Industry Safety Context: Educational Services

How Kentucky State University compares to the Educational Services sector, which has 3,186 employers tracked by PlainWorker.

Metric Kentucky State University Industry Avg
Inspections 2 2.5
Violations 12 5.7
Total Penalty $9,000 $3,025
Avg Penalty per Inspection $4,500 $1,199
View all 3,186 employers in Educational Services →

Nationwide Educational Services peers with similar penalties or inspection counts

Two OSHA-record peer sets for Kentucky State University, both outside KY so the neighborhoods are not geographic containment.

Similar current OSHA penalty

Nearest same-sector employers by current assessed penalty ($9,000 here).

DE $9,000 PR Upr $9,000 PR Little Fishes Swim School $9,054 MO Peace College of Raleigh, INC. $9,075 NC

Similar OSHA inspection count

Same-sector employers with a comparable inspection history outside this state (2 inspections here).

West Orange Public Schools 2 insp. West Orange, NJ Oro Grande School District 2 insp. Oro Grande, CA Clifton E Lawrence School 2 insp. Sussex, NJ Covina Valley Unified School District 2 insp. Covina, CA

Nearby & Similar Employers in Educational Services

Showing 5 of 3185 other employers tracked in this sector.

Cal Poly Pomona
Pomona, CA
3 inspections $25,050
Cajon Valley Union School District
El Cajon, CA
2 inspections $25,200
University of New England
Biddeford, ME
2 inspections $24,962
Santa Ana Unified School District
Santa Ana, CA
10 inspections $25,275
Queen Emma Preschool
Honolulu, HI
0 inspections $0

Compare Kentucky State University vs Cal Poly Pomona side-by-side →

What to do with this record

Use Kentucky State University's enforcement history as one data point, not the whole picture.

  • A single employer's record can look unusual in isolation. Compare Kentucky State University against Cal Poly Pomona, a similarly-sized employer in the same sector, before drawing conclusions. Compare side-by-side
  • See whether Kentucky State University's inspection and penalty record is typical for Educational Services or an outlier against the sector's own average. View the Educational Services sector
  • Kentucky State University also carries $16,096 in Wage and Hour Division back-wages, a separate enforcement track from OSHA safety violations. How wage-theft enforcement works

Figures reflect closed OSHA and WHD federal enforcement actions on record (2010–2026); not every workplace issue results in an inspection or investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kentucky State University safe to work at? ▼
Based on OSHA records, Kentucky State University's workplace safety record is concerning, with multiple serious compliance issues. The employer has 12 violations across 2 inspections, including 6 serious violations. Compared to Educational Services industry peers, this is above average for penalties. Review the full inspection history below for details.
How many OSHA violations does Kentucky State University have? ▼
Kentucky State University has 12 OSHA violations on record, including 6 serious, 0 willful, and 0 repeat violations. The total current penalty amount is $9,000.
How many OSHA inspections has Kentucky State University had? ▼
Kentucky State University has had 2 OSHA inspections, with the first recorded on 2013-12-17 and the most recent on 2015-02-09. This averages 6.0 violations per inspection.
What is the total penalty amount for Kentucky State University? ▼
Kentucky State University has been assessed $9,000 in current OSHA penalties, reduced from an initial assessment of $34,000 (a 73.5% reduction). Additionally, $16,096 in back wages were owed through WHD enforcement.
Does Kentucky State University have any serious or willful violations? ▼
Yes. Kentucky State University has 6 serious violations. Serious violations involve hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Willful violations indicate the employer intentionally or knowingly disregarded the law.
Has Kentucky State University been cited for wage theft? ▼
Yes. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has recorded 3 enforcement cases against Kentucky State University, resulting in $16,096 in back wages owed to 66 affected workers. These cases involve violations of federal labor laws including minimum wage, overtime, and other worker protections.
What industry does Kentucky State University operate in? ▼
Kentucky State University operates in the Educational Services sector (NAICS code 611310). This industry has 3,186 employers tracked by PlainWorker, with 8,042 total OSHA inspections and $9.64M in cumulative penalties.
What should I do if Kentucky State University owes me wages? ▼
If you believe Kentucky State University owes you wages, you can file a complaint with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints or by calling 1-866-487-9243. WHD investigates violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act including unpaid minimum wage, overtime, and unauthorized deductions. The DOL has previously found $16,096 in back wages owed by this employer across 3 cases.
Where does Kentucky State University rank nationally on OSHA penalties? ▼
Among the 99,447 U.S. employers with a nonzero current OSHA penalty in PlainWorker's corpus, Kentucky State University ranks #38,293 (the upper half of penalized employers nationally). The ordinal is a live COUNT of employers with a lower total_current_penalty; see the methodology page for the exact derivation.
How does Kentucky State University's safety record compare to industry average? ▼
Kentucky State University's total OSHA penalty of $9,000 is above the Educational Services industry average of $3,025 per employer (3.0x the average). The employer has 2 inspections compared to the industry average of 2.5 per employer. For a direct comparison, Cajon Valley Union School District in El Cajon, CA is a similar educational services employer with $25,200 in current penalties.
Data Sources & Methodology ▼

Data as of 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA, WHD).

Source: OSHA Enforcement Data

Inspection and violation records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, covering the period 2010–2026. Includes inspection dates, violation types (serious, willful, repeat, other-than-serious), and penalty amounts. Penalties shown are current assessed amounts and may differ from original citations due to settlement, contest, or reduction.

Source: Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Compliance actions from the WHD, covering enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including minimum wage, overtime, and child labor violations. Back wages represent amounts owed to affected employees as determined by WHD investigations.

Employer Matching

Employers are matched across OSHA and WHD datasets by name, state, and city. Employers included in PlainWorker have 2 or more OSHA inspections or $1,000+ in WHD back wages. Data is updated monthly from data.dol.gov.

Verify with OSHA establishment search →

Every figure on PlainWorker is rendered directly from official U.S. Department of Labor OSHA and Wage & Hour Division enforcement records, no number is typed in by an editor. This employer's ratios (penalty-per-violation, industry comparisons) are computed live from the 2 inspections on record. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026.