DESIGNS

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, DESIGNS — a sign manufacturing facility located at 110 N. BATTLEFIELD BLVD., CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 19 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $2,940.00. The inspection case was opened on 2011-12-08.

The volume of citations issued during this inspection suggests systematic compliance deficiencies rather than isolated incidents. Facilities with 10 or more citations typically face comprehensive abatement requirements and may be subject to follow-up inspections.

BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 3.3 per 100 full-time workers — 22% above the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 2.3 per 100,000 workers.

Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $2,940.00 is 54% below the national average of $6,436.62 for facilities in the Manufacturing sector (NAICS 339950). This sector encompasses 82,943 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $533.9M.

State Context: Within VA, this facility's penalty places it at the 85th percentile among 62,574 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $2,237.86.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 19 citations spanning 5 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 12 serious — A workplace hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm exists, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition. 3 other-than-serious — The violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health but is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning February 9, 2012 with the latest abatement deadline set for March 28, 2012. Of the 19 total citations, 15 (79%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, suggesting partial progress toward required corrective actions.

Penalty Assessment: The total proposed penalty of $2,940.00 falls within OSHA's standard enforcement range and may have been adjusted through informal settlement conference procedures, penalty reduction factors, or good faith credit for demonstrated safety and health management systems.