Oregon Store Faces Violations for Exposing Workers to Possible Injury
Dollar Tree’s violations amount to $32,000 in fines
- By Alex Saurman
- Mar 25, 2022
Dollar Tree has been cited for workplace safety concerns and is facing fines in one state.
According to a press release, Oregon OSHA inspected the Wilsonville, Oregon, Dollar Tree location and found the company was exposing workers to possible injury.
The following violations were found:
- "Failure to stabilize and secure boxes of merchandise to prevent them from falling onto or in the path of employees, which potentially exposed employees to struck-by, trip, and fall hazards."
- "Failure to ensure an adequate width for aisles and walkways, which potentially exposed employees to trip and fall hazards."
- "Failure to ensure that stored materials, including merchandise in the stockroom and at the back of the store, did not block access to portable fire extinguishers."
- "Failure to ensure that merchandise, carts, and conveyor rollers in the stockroom did not block emergency exit routes, which potentially exposed employees to trip and fall hazards, and smoke inhalation or burns."
- "Failure to keep written records of safety committee meetings for three years, including names of attendees, meeting dates, safety and health issues discussed, recommendations for corrections, and dates by which managers agree to follow up on corrections."
Because other Dollar Tree locations were previously cited for similar violations, this location faces repeat violations.
“The workplace safety and health standards enforced by Oregon OSHA are there for a reason, so that employers have clear and time-tested steps to follow to keep workers out of harm’s way,” said Lou Savage, interim administrator for the division in a press release. “Failing to follow them is not an option. Repeatedly failing to follow them serves only one purpose: to deepen the risk of severe injury and suffering.”
In total, Dollar Tree is facing $32,000 in fines. An appeal can be filed in 30 days.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.