Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Settle with OSHA Over Nationwide Violations

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Settle with OSHA Over Nationwide Violations

The retail giants face penalties of $1.35 million to enhance store safety.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Aug 25, 2023

Two leading U.S. discount chains, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, have entered into a pivotal settlement with OSHA.

In a release dated August 23, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the agreement which requires Dollar Tree and Family Dollar to address and remediate recurrent safety violations at numerous stores within the next two years. As part of a settlement for existing and open inspections, the companies also collectively agreed to pay $1.35 million in penalties.

In this new corporate-wide agreement, OSHA calls for immediate corrections to violations, such as blocked exits, access to fire extinguishers and electrical panels and improper material storage, within 48 hours of the agency's notification. Failure to meet compliance standards will result in penalties of $100,000 per day, up to $500,000.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have also committed to establishing safety advisory groups, enhancing hazard detection, initiating an audit system, launching a new training module and recruiting additional safety personnel. Dollar Tree will also introduce a 24/7 safety hotline and a tracking system for complaints. Regular quarterly reviews with OSHA will track their progress.

“By securing this agreement with Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, the department is making good on President Biden’s commitment to be the most pro-worker administration in history,” the DOL’s Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said in a statement. “Through our robust enforcement of workplace protections and use of innovative legal methods that resulted in this agreement, thousands of workers will have a healthier, safer and more certain future.”

The deal has the potential to make a wide-reaching impact. The Virginia-based Dollar Tree Inc., which owns both chains, runs more than 16,000 Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores across 48 U.S. states and Canada, employing over 193,000 people. OSHA previously came to an agreement with the company in 2015, but that deal concluded in 2018.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Safety Workwear & Footwear Programs

    Safety Workwear & Footwear Programs

    Zappos at Work knows how to keep your team safe by providing workwear and footwear programs, built custom to your business. We offer an unrivaled selection of brands and styles to ensure that your employees look and feel great on the job. You tell us your team’s safety workwear needs, and we build a custom online storefront where your employees can order products from your hand-picked assortment. Orders are shipped directly to your employees, with free and fast shipping, returns, and exchanges on all orders. 3

  • Nextteq® Detector Tube and Pump System product line

    Nextteq® Detector Tube and Pump System product line

    The Nextteq® Detector Tube and Pump System product line from Nextteq® represents well over 500 unique applications utilizing over 300 different kinds of detector tubes as part of a complete sampling analysis system to detect and measure toxic and combustible gases or vapors and materials. Multiple industries are supported and backed by our in-house staff which incorporates a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Board-Certified Toxicologist, and a Certified Safety Professional to assist you with your technical questions. 3

  • AA

    AA

    A+A—The World’s No 1. Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work—is renowned for its wide range of products and international reach, reflecting the status of the industry with the latest technologies and trends. From October 24-27, 2023, A+A will showcase the entire range of products and services for personal and occupational safety at the fairground in Düsseldorf, Germany - from protective items for individual body parts to complex security systems, from occupational medical care to ergonomic workplace design. An international congress will complement the exhibits. 3

Featured

Most   Popular