Dollar Tree Stores Fined Nearly $900K for Storage Violations

Friday, September 20, 2019 | 0

Dollar Tree Stores faces $898,682 in penalties for exposing workers at four locations in Idaho to unsafe storage of merchandise as well as blocked walkways and exit routes, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced.

OSHA inspectors initially responded to a complaint that a Dollar Tree store in Boise was exposing workers to unstable stacks of boxes in the stockroom. OSHA then received another complaint alleging similar unsafe conditions at stores in Caldwell, Nampa and Meridian.

At each of the four stores, OSHA said, its inspectors found boxes stacked improperly, often with heavier boxes on top of lighter ones. Inspectors also reported blocked aisles and exit routes at each of the stores.

“In one store, inspectors found an employee who suffered injury and needed help after boxes fell on them,” the agency said in a statement. “While an inspector shot video of conditions during another inspection, a stack of boxes fell and nearly injured an employee. During their investigation, inspectors learned that falling boxes had injured other employees.”

OSHA cited Dollar Tree for violations related to blocked aisles and exit routes, unsafe storage and stacking of boxes, blocked electrical panels, improper use of a ladder and exposing workers to falls from heights.

The company has 15 business days from receiving the citations to request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.