Danger Looms: OSHA Cites Repeat Safety Violations at Dollar General

Federal workplace safety inspections at two Dollar General stores in the Tampa area have once again exposed alarming hazards and unsafe conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, has issued citations for repeat violations, raising concerns about the well-being of employees at one of the nation’s largest discount retailers.

The first inspection took place on January 18, 2023, at a Dollar General store in Brandon, where OSHA inspectors identified multiple safety infractions. Blocked exit routes and electrical hazards were among the serious violations discovered. The store also lacked a functioning employee restroom, while an uncovered sewer drain in the restroom posed a hazardous tripping risk for employees and customers.

Two days later, on January 20, OSHA inspectors visited another Dollar General store in Dade City and found a blocked emergency exit, obstructed by rolling containers and merchandise. This hazardous condition exposed workers to potential fire and entrapment risks, further compounding the company’s safety violations.

As a result of these inspections, OSHA issued a series of citations against Dollar General Corp. The violations included three repeat offenses, two serious violations, and three other-than-serious violations, leading to proposed penalties totaling $342,282.

In a specific timeframe between February 1, 2022, and April 20, 2023, inspections in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia alone resulted in OSHA assessing nearly $10 million in proposed penalties against Dollar General after uncovering more than 30 investigations. Since 2017, the company has accumulated fines exceeding $21 million following over 243 inspections conducted nationwide.

OSHA’s Area Director in Tampa, Florida, Danelle Jindra, expressed deep concern over the company’s repeated failure to prioritize worker safety. "After more than 200 failed inspections, Dollar General cannot claim that they misunderstand federal safety requirements," said Jindra. "At this point, we can only conclude that they choose to continue exposing their employees to hazardous conditions."

In response to OSHA’s citations, Dollar General has contested the findings and plans to present its case before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.