PHALANX ENTERPRISES

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, PHALANX ENTERPRISES — a industry sector 00 facility located at 25291 PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD, CHANTILLY, VA 22621 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 2 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $84,000.00. The inspection case was opened on 1996-09-23.

Federal investigators determined that one or more violations at this facility were committed willfully — meaning the employer either knowingly failed to comply with OSHA standards or acted with plain indifference to employee safety. Willful violations carry the highest penalty multipliers under the OSH Act.

Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $84,000.00 is more than 70.2× the national average of $1,195.75 for facilities in the Other sector (NAICS 000000). This sector encompasses 1,316,687 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $1,574.4M.

State Context: Within VA, this facility's penalty places it at the 100th percentile among 62,574 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $2,237.86.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 2 citations spanning 2 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 1 repeat — A substantially similar violation was found during a previous inspection and the original citation has become a final order. 1 willful — The employer intentionally and knowingly committed the violation, demonstrating either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the OSH Act or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning March 17, 1997 with the latest abatement deadline set for March 24, 1997. Of the 2 total citations, 0 (0%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, which may indicate ongoing compliance gaps requiring further regulatory attention.

Penalty Assessment: The per-citation average of $42,000.00 exceeds OSHA's FY2024 statutory maximum of $16,131 for serious violations, indicating the presence of willful or repeat classifications that carry enhanced penalty authority under Section 17 of the OSH Act.

The enforcement action against Phalanx Enterprises reveals a high-gravity breakdown in fundamental safety management, characterized by a blatant disregard for fall protection standards. The presence of a Willful violation under 1926.105(a) carries significant legal weight, signaling that management either possessed actual knowledge of the hazardous conditions or demonstrated plain indifference to the requirement for safety nets, harnesses, or alternative fall arrest systems for work at elevations. In 1996, the $70,000 penalty for this single citation represented the statutory maximum, a rarity that underscores the extreme severity and immediate danger posed to the workforce. Complementing this is a Repeat violation of 1926.21(