Dollar Tree Spanked By OSHA For $116,000
By, Robert Box, Contributor
Exclusive to SM Corridor News
Houston, Texas – OSHA hit Dollar Tree’s location on West Gray in Houston, Texas with a $116,200 penalty for six alleged violations, continuing OSHA’s targeting of retailers in 2015.
OSHA has visited Dollar Tree stores across the nation 156 times since 2009 as of April 22, 2015, and has issued 287 citations against the retailer, totaling nearly $1,800,000.
Targeting retailers with multiple locations is part of the revenue-generating strategy of OSHA, as described in my recent article, “OSHA Targets Small-Sized Retail & Convenience Stores.”
OSHA received a complaint from a disgruntled Dollar Tree employee, which resulted in the Houston location inspection. OSHA views small footprint retailers as easy revenue for the agency because it can be a challenge for those employers to keep a safe workplace when challenged with limited space issues. Drug stores, discount retailers and convenience stores should take notice.
At the Houston location, OSHA issued repeat citations for boxed merchandise stacked too high and for an emergency exit being blocked. A repeated violation exists when an employer has been cited previously for the same or a similar violation at any other facility within the last five years.
The Watauga, Texas Dollar Tree store was cited in September 2014 for two willful and three repeat violations, with a penalty of $262,500.
In a written response, Randy Guiler, vice president of investor relations, said Dollar Tree is working to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations at all of its 5,000-plus stores nationwide. Maintaining a safe workplace environment is a key priority, he added.
Alleged citations for the Houston location Dollar Tree store and proposed penalties are as follows:
? Doorways that could have been mistaken as exits along an exit route were not marked “Not An Exit.” Fine: $3,300.
? Compressed gas cylinders were missing valve protection caps. Fine: $3,300.
? Employees have not received fire extinguisher training. Fine: $3,300.
? Electrical panels blocked. Fine: $3,300.
? Repeat violation: Exit doors blocked. Fine: $33,000.
? Repeat violation: Merchandise in boxes stacked haphazardly over 7 feet high. Fine: $70,000.
Headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, Dollar Tree Stores employ approximately 17,600 full-time and 69,800 part-time workers.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area office, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Robert Box is the owner of Safety First Consulting that helps businesses identify OSHA compliance deficiencies in their workplaces, manage their safety programs, and become accountable for the results. In addition to offering custom written safety programs for companies, Safety First Consulting provides required safety training, industrial hygiene sampling, noise sampling, and workplace inspections.
