Dollar General Stores and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are early in settlement talks to settle workplace safety violations. The administration has already levied over $15 million in fines against the company. The company operates approximately 1,400 retail stores nationwide, including about 140 locations in Arizona. Since 2017, the administration has cited Dollar General with more than 100 violations that they found while inspecting more than 270 locations.

Severe Violator Enforcement Program

The United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration expanded its Severe Violator Enforcement Program in the fall of 2022. The first company they added to the list was Dollar General, so they could now inspect any location in the country without receiving a complaint from a worker.

Fire exit violations

According to the agency, they have found merchandise stacked in front of numerous fire exits. Therefore, if the store were to catch fire, workers would find it difficult to get out. Furthermore, the agency has found multiple fire exits that are unmarked. They have also levied fines against the company for missing emergency exit signs.

Merchandise stacked wrong

They have also found numerous instances where merchandise boxes were stacked too high. If the piles tumbled, workers could be hurt by the falling boxes and need to file workers’ compensation claims. Some merchandise stacks are placed in front of the store’s electrical panels. They also cited the company for leaving unused electrical sockets uncovered.

No handrails

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration further fined Dollar General for lack of handrails on stairs.

Dollar General was the first company placed on the Severe Violator Enforcement Program list by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration after inspectors found numerous safety violations.