OSHA fines Family Dollar $1.2 million for violations at 2 Ohio stores

Federal regulators have fined Spouse and children Greenback extra than $1.2 million in penalties associated to security violations at two Ohio outlets, the Section of Labor’s Occupational Protection and Health Administration said Monday.

In January and February of this calendar year, OSHA inspected Family Greenback outlets in Columbus and Maple Heights and discovered blocked exits, unstable stacks of products, cluttered operating parts and inaccessible electrical gear and fire extinguishers.

At the Columbus area, the agency identified “water-soaked ceiling tiles” had fallen to the ground on at the very least two instances in “shut proximity” to workforce, in accordance to the citation.

The agency identified 11 violations concerning the two suppliers, incorporating to a lot more than 300 complete violations by Family Greenback and its father or mother enterprise, Greenback Tree, more than the final 5 yrs, OSHA mentioned in a release.

“Relatives Greenback and Dollar Tree shops have a long and disturbing historical past of putting profits previously mentioned personnel security,” claimed Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for occupational security and wellbeing, in a assertion. “Time and time all over again, we discover the identical violations — blocked or obstructed crisis exits and aisles, boxes of items stacked superior or in entrance of electrical panels and fireplace extinguishers. Each hazard can lead to a tragedy.”

A consultant for Dollar Tree did not quickly react to a request for comment. The organization can contest the citation and the high-quality with the company.

The fines arrive just months following a Food stuff and Drug Administration investigation discovered rodents, useless and alive, in much more than 400 Loved ones Greenback shops, leading to mass voluntary remembers of goods this earlier February.

Dollar outlets have seen increasing success amid a current period of soaring inflation, as shoppers grapple with increased prices on every little thing from groceries to fuel. Greenback Tree upped its rate stage to $1.25 previously this 12 months.