Dollar General is facing $1.68 million in fines for store safety issues in four stores.
According to The Associated Press, Dollar General is facing $1.68 million in fines after inspectors allegedly found safety issue violations in four of their stores in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
The U.S. Department of Labor made the announcement Monday in a news release saying that Dollar General has once again ignored federal workplace safety standards.
Inspections were done in April 2022 by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Locations included Mobile and Grove Hill, Alabama; Tampa, Florida; and Dewy Rose, Georgia, according to the news release. Inspectors cited the stores for violations including failing to keep the receiving and storage areas clean, and for stacking materials unsafely.
According to the news release, these violations “exposed workers to hazards associated with slips, trips and being struck-by objects.”
“Once again, our inspectors have found Dollar General stores ignoring federal safety standards and exposing their employees to hazardous working conditions in violation of the law,” Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said in the news release. “We will use our full enforcement powers to hold Dollar General accountable for its ongoing pattern of behavior until they show that they take worker safety seriously.”
According to the AP, the announcement from the Department of Labor came about two months since OSHA announced $1.3 million in proposed penalties at three Georgia Dollar General stores that had similar violations.
OSHA has done about 182 inspections at Dollar General store locations nationwide and inspectors found unsafe conditions for workers often, according to the AP.
“Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance,” the Department of Labor stated in the news release.
The Department of Labor said in the news release that Dollar General has 15 business days from the day they receive the citations and penalties to comply. They can also request an informal conference with the area director of OSHA or fight the findings before the Independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission if they choose to do so.
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