Dollar Tree Slammed by OSHA

Federal officials announced Wednesday that they have ordered Dollar Tree, including its two Franklin outlets, and Family Dollar to address store safety concerns, such as blocked exits, access to fire extinguishers, and improper material storage, at thousands of its stores nationwide, including across Massachusetts.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has entered into a corporate-wide settlement agreement with the operators of two of the  few retailers that many Americans. hard pressed by inflation, can still afford to shop, in order to improve workplace safety.

The settlement agreement requires Dollar Tree and Family Dollar to conduct a comprehensive, nationwide assessment of the root causes of violations OSHA has repeatedly cited at multiple stores, with a plan to identify causes and make changes within two years, the labor department said.

The directive to abate any future violations related to blocked exits, access to fire extinguishers and electrical panels, and improper material storage at stores requires the companies to correct hazards within 48 hours of OSHA notifying them, and to later submit proof the hazards were corrected.

Failure to correct those hazards could result in penalties of $100,000 per day of violation, up to $500,000, as well as OSHA enforcement actions. It is unclear what impact the measures may have on the low-margin retailing practice that generally undercuts pricing by other companies.

"By securing this agreement with Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, the department is making good on President Biden's commitment to be the most pro-worker administration in history," Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said in a statement. "At the Department of Labor, we know that every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of the workday. Through our robust enforcement of workplace protections and use of innovative legal methods that resulted in this agreement, thousands of workers will have a healthier, safer and more certain future."

The companies have agreed to pay $1.35 million "to settle existing contested as well as open inspections of similar alleged violations," the labor department said. Dollar Tree will also maintain a 24-hour hotline to take safety complaints and establish a system to ensure complaints are addressed.

Based in Virginia, Dollar Tree operates more than 16,000 Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores in 48 states and Canada, and employs more than 193,000 people. Its ability to price products far below other retailers has endeared it to a large customer base.

Regionally, Southern New Hampshire University and Dollar Tree, Inc. recently  joined  Operation Home front to ensure military children are prepared to start the new school year. Their 16th annual Back-to-School Brigade® program supported thousands of military families during a difficult time of the year. 

SHNS/Franklin Observer