The United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration released its findings from a December 2022 investigation at two Dollar General stores in southeast Oklahoma.
Investigators found blocked exits and walkways that expose employees to fire hazards.
They also found many boxes of Dollar General merchandise blocking walkways in Hartshorne and Wilburton, Okla. stores.
These violations have been seen in several Dollar General stores across the US.
OSHA issued Dollar General Corp. citations for two repeat and three serious violations to the tune of $267,622 in penalties.
“Dollar General continues to ignore federal safety standards that would protect its employees and others in its stores,” said OSHA Area Director Stephen Kirby in Oklahoma City. “Our inspectors routinely identify hazards caused by poor housekeeping, unsafe storage, and by walkways and exits blocked by merchandise. These conditions must be corrected before serious injuries or worse occur in an emergency.”
These Oklahoma findings are similar to those found in 12 other inspections across the US in Alabama, Florida, Maine, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin from October-December 2022.
OSHA added Dollar General to its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which essentially lets investigators know that those stores are a high priority in terms of safety investigations.
Dollar General has 15 business days to respond to these findings.