COLUMBUS, OH – Since 2017, federal and state OSHA programs have conducted more than 500 inspections of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores (operated by their parent company, Dollar Tree Inc.) and found more than 300 violations. In the space of two weeks in early 2022, OSHA inspected two separate Family Dollar stores in Columbus following employee complaints. In both inspections, OSHA found safety hazards related to obstructed egress, unstable stacks, inaccessible electrical equipment and fire extinguishers, as well as trip and fall hazards spread throughout the walking-working surfaces of the stores’ retail and storeroom areas. Combined, the two stores were cited for 11 violations and proposed penalties of $1,233,364.

“Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores have a long and disturbing history of putting profits above employee safety,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “Time and time again, we find the same violations – blocked or obstructed emergency exits and aisles, boxes of merchandise stacked high or in front of electrical panels and fire extinguishers. Each hazard can lead to a tragedy.”

Read the full story from OSHA.