UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF
According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF — a postal service facility located at 17 S. COMMERCE WAY, BETHLEHEM, PA 18020 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 5 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $108,057.00. The inspection case was opened on 2020-12-01.
Cumulative penalties significantly exceed the national median for OSHA enforcement actions. The penalty amount suggests multiple high-gravity citations, indicating conditions that presented a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to employees.
BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 4.6 per 100 full-time workers — 70% above the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 14.0 per 100,000 workers.
Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $108,057.00 is more than 19.5× the national average of $5,543.54 for facilities in the Transportation sector (NAICS 491110). This sector encompasses 12,040 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $66.7M.
State Context: Within PA, this facility's penalty places it at the 100th percentile among 84,409 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $3,015.83.
Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 5 citations spanning 5 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 2 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 repeat — A substantially similar violation was found during a previous inspection and the original citation has become a final order.
Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning May 26, 2021 with the latest abatement deadline set for June 8, 2021. Of the 5 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 $21,611.40 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 profile for the Lehigh Valley Processing and Distribution Center (PDCF) reveals a troubling pattern
This facility's $108,057 penalty is higher than 96% of all penalized companies in the NAICS 491110 industry in PA. The state average penalty for this industry is $14,578.
Comparing penalized facilities in BETHLEHEM, PA (Broader Sector)
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What OSHA violations was UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF cited for?
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF received 5 citation(s) covering 5 distinct OSHA standards. Total proposed penalties were $108,057.00. The inspection opened on 2020-12-01.
How much was UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF fined by OSHA?
OSHA proposed penalties of $108,057.00 against UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF in BETHLEHEM, PA. Average per citation: $21,611.40.
Is UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF a safe workplace?
Based on enforcement records, UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, LEHIGH VALLEY PDCF has a risk score of 38 out of 100. Cumulative penalties significantly exceed the national median for OSHA enforcement actions. The penalty amount suggests multiple high-gravity citations, indicating conditions that presented a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to employees.
How does this penalty compare to the industry average?
The average penalty for Postal Service facilities is $5,543.54. This facility penalty of $108,057.00 is above the industry average.