US Department of Labor finds Dollar General blocked emergency exits, allowed other safety hazards at 4 southern Pennsylvania stores
Nationwide discounter faces $227K in additional penalties, more than $21M since 2017
HARRISBURG, PA - Federal workplace safety inspectors found hazardous conditions at four southern Pennsylvania stores owned and operated by Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp LLC like those identified at the company’s locations in more than 240 inspections across the nation since 2017. These inspections have led to more than $21 million in proposed penalties for the national discount retailer.
Responding to a complaint, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened inspections at stores in Adams, Franklin and Dauphin counties. Inspectors found Dollar General exposed employees to blocked exit routes and electrical panels, and overall poor housekeeping practices.
OSHA issued citations for two repeat and two serious violations and one other-than-serious safety violation with $227,898 in newly proposed penalties. The agency inspected stores at 4910 Fairfield Road in Fairfield, 5736 Carlisle Pike in New Oxford, 16300 Path Valley Road in Spring Run and 881 Peters Mountain Road in Dauphin.
"OSHA found federal safety regulations ignored and Dollar General’s employees exposed to potentially dangerous conditions that are preventable," said OSHA Area Director Kevin Chambers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "These are serious concerns that, left uncorrected, could lead to disaster for employees and others in an emergency."
In October 2022, OSHA added Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp LLC to its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
Based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp LLC operate about 18,000 stores and 17 distribution centers in 47 states and employ 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.
Learn more about OSHA.
Media Contacts:
Leni Fortson, 215-861-5102, uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov
Joanna Hawkins, 215-861-5101, hawkins.joanna@dol.gov
Release Number: 23-1091-PHI