June 8, 2023

Worker's complaint leads Department of Labor to again find Dollar Tree exposing employees to blocked aisles, trips, falls, slowing safe exit

OSHA proposes $98K in penalties for exposing 8 employees to safety hazards

PEWAUKEE, WI – Federal workplace safety inspectors opened an investigation at a Pewaukee Dollar Tree store in January 2023 in response to an employee's concerns about unsafe work conditions.

Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found merchandise blocking aisles and exit routes, creating trip and fall hazards and preventing workers from leaving the location safely in an emergency.

Since 2017, OSHA has issued citations to Dollar Tree Inc. for violations in more than 500 inspections at the national discount retailer's Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores in the U.S. In all, OSHA has identified more than 300 violations.

"OSHA inspectors repeatedly find Dollar Tree employees exposed to the risks of injury from stacked merchandise, and blocked aisles and exits," said Occupational Safety and Health Area Director Christine Zortman in Milwaukee. "They need to develop and follow a company-wide safety and health program for its stores to eliminate these well-known hazards and protect the safety of their employees."

The agency issued Dollar Tree Inc. a citation for one repeat violation and proposed $98,219 in penalties after the inspection at the Pewaukee store, which employs eight workers.

Founded in 1986, Dollar Tree Inc. is a leading operator of more than 16,000 discount variety stores throughout North America in 48 states and five Canadian provinces. Headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, the company is supported by a nationwide logistics network, and has more than 193,000 employees. A publicly traded company, Dollar Tree Inc. company reported gross profit of $7.7 billion in 2021.

Dollar Tree Inc. 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.

Learn more about OSHA.

Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-4807, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 23-1227- CHI