December 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Dollar Tree Stores
For Workplace Hazards at Andalusia, Alabama Location

ANDALUSIA, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited national discount retailer Dollar Tree Stores Inc. for exposing employees to safety hazards at the company’s Andalusia, Alabama, location. The company faces $312,576 in penalties.

OSHA cited the company for exposing employees to slip, trip, and fall hazards by failing to keep passageways and walking surfaces in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition. OSHA also cited Dollar Tree for allowing cases of merchandise to be stacked unsafely, for failing to address struck-by hazards, and for permitting emergency exits to be blocked.

“Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has an extensive history of similar violations and continues to show a disregard for safety measures designed to keep employees safe on the job,” said OSHA Mobile Area Director Jose Gonzalez. “Store employees should not be subjected to the same hazards previously identified and cited at multiple Dollar Tree locations nationwide.”

Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has a long history of serious and repeated violations related to unsafe stacking of merchandise and blocked exits. Since 2015, OSHA has cited the Chesapeake, Virginia-based company for similar violations at locations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, New York, and Rhode Island.

“Employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “OSHA is working to ensure that Dollar Tree Stores are held accountable for their obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

OSHA provides resources on safe working surfaces, exit route requirements, and Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs, which includes information on how to identify and assess hazards in the workplace.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed 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.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

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Media Contacts:

Eric Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov
Michael D’Aquino, 678-237-0630, daquino.michael@dol.gov

Release Number:  19-2072-ATL (430)

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).