OSHA Announces Citations for 8 Violations at Florida-Based Dollar General Stores
This latest round of citations brings Dollar General to $21 million in proposed penalties since 2017.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jul 18, 2023
OSHA has again issued a series of citations to Dollar General Corp. following inspections at two locations in Tampa, Florida.
According to a release dated July 13, OSHA inspectors at stores in Brandon and Dade City—two areas within Tampa, Florida—discovered blocked exit routes similar to violations in Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas in June.
At the Brandon location on Jan. 18, 2023, OSHA inspectors discovered blocked exit routes and electrical hazards as well as the absence of a working employee restroom. Inspectors also identified an uncovered sewer drain in the restroom, which had become a tripping hazard. Meanwhile, inspectors in Dade City on Jan. 20 discovered a blocked emergency exit, impeded by rolling containers and merchandise.
Both locations’ fire and entrapment hazards led inspectors to issue a total of eight citations for the two stores. These include three repeat, two serious and three other-than-serious violations amounting to $342,282 in proposed penalties. Dollar General has contested OSHA’s findings.
OSHA inspectors have assessed more than $21 million in fines to Dollar General stores since 2017 throughout 243 inspections nationwide. More than 30 investigations and $10 million in proposed penalties arose between Feb. 1, 2022 and April 20, 2023.
“After more than 200 failed inspections, Dollar General cannot claim that they misunderstand federal safety requirements,” OSHA Tampa Area Director Danelle Jindra said in a release. “At this point, we can only conclude that they choose to continue exposing their employees to hazardous conditions.”
The Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based Dollar General Corp. and subsidiary Dolgencorp LLC operate 19,000 stores and 28 distribution centers across 47 states, where they employ a workforce of more than 173,000 people.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.