Dollar Tree Must Sell 121,000 Items to Pay This OSHA Fine
The fine involves obstructed exit routes and storing materials in an unsafe manner.
OSHA has cited Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree Stores for two repeat safety violations at its Newark, N.J., location. OSHA opened an inspection in response to a complaint alleging blocked fire exits and the unsafe storage of items in stock. Proposed penalties total $121,000.
The first violation is permitting exit routes to be obstructed by boxes and product carts. OSHA previously cited Dollar Tree Stores for the same violation at its Bergenfield and Dover, N.J., locations in 2010 and 2008, respectively. The second violation is storing materials in an unsafe manner. OSHA cited this violation at the company’s locations in Commack, N.Y., Watchung, N.J., and Dover, N.J., in 2011, 2010, and 2008, respectively.
“These violations are often found at retail stores and can pose a serious risk to workers,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA’s Parsippany Area Office. “It is imperative that Dollar Tree Stores evaluate all of its locations for these and other potential workplace hazards and take the appropriate steps to protect workers.”
“The company can prevent these types of hazards by establishing an injury and illness prevention program in which it works with its employees to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.
Dollar Tree Stores employs nine people at the Newark store.