Costly Safety Violations Continue at Dollar General Stores

According to a recent press release, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued citations against Dollar General Corp. and its subsidiary, Dolgencorp LLC, for again putting workers’ safety at risk. The latest citations come less than a month after the DOL cited the discount retailer—one of the largest in the United States—for similar violations.

During the past five years, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found unsafe conditions that exposed workers to the possibility of being struck by falling boxes of merchandise, getting trapped, or being unable to exit store safely in an emergency in more than 180 inspections at Dollar General stores nationwide. This time, violations at seven store locations in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia will potentially cost Dollar General an addition US$2,777,640 in proposed penalties.

“Dollar General has shown a pattern of alarmingly willful disregard for federal safety standards, choosing to place profits over their employees’ safety and wellbeing,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational Safety and health. “Neighborhood stores exist to support the needs of their communities—the same communities in which many Dollar General employees live—and that support must include following laws designed to keep workers safe from preventable injuries or worse.”

Since 2017, Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp LLC have received more than $12.3 million in initial penalties for numerous willful, repeat, and serious workplace safety violations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

Based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General Corp., along with Dolgencorp LLC, operates about 18,000 stores and 17 distribution centers in 47 states and employs more than 150,000 workers. Dollar General has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.