Dollar Tree Stores Hit with $56K Fine
The OSHA area director urged the company to evaluate all of its store locations for hazards after this latest filing.
OSHA announced Tuesday that it has cited Dollar Tree Stores and proposed $56,000 in fines against the company for alleged safety violations at its Watchung, N.J., location. A complaint triggered the investigation, which began in July.
Two repeat violations with a combined penalty of $50,000 were filed for alleged failure to properly stack, block, interlock, or limit the height of stored materials to stop them from sliding or collapsing onto workers. Dollar Tree Stores previously was cited for the same violations at its Dover, N.J., and Kissimmee, Fla., locations in March 2008 and November 2008, respectively, OSHA reported.
Two serious violations bearing a penalty of $6,000 are for allegedly failing to cover exposed electrical outlets and failing to keep storage areas free of tripping and fire hazards. "The violations found at Dollar Tree Stores are indicative of the kind of safety and health concerns, often found at retail stores, that can pose a serious risk to workers,: said Patricia Jones, director of OSHA's area office in Avenel, N.J. "It is imperative that Dollar Tree evaluates all its store locations for these and other potential workplace hazards and takes the appropriate steps to protect the workers."