The latest round of OSHA vs. Dollar General in Florida involves a missing restroom
The workplace safety argument between the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA division and Dollar General in Florida continues at the same rhythm: The federal office cites a Dollar General store or more for violations, proposes a fine, and the discount store chain fights the citations and fines.
Among the latest citations: “The employer did not provide employees with a working lavatory, exposing employees to adverse health effects and sanitation hazards.”
That’s among the seven citations from a Jan. 18 OSHA inspector visit to the Brandon Dollar General at 459 W. Brandon Blvd. in the Tampa Bay area, citations that added up to proposed fines of $186,023. Dollar General had the options of paying the fine; requesting an informal meeting with the area OSHA supervisor, which sometimes ends in a settled fine; or contesting the citations, which will delay the fine until the case is closed even if the citations eventually get upheld.
Dollar General, as many companies do these days, contested the citations, as many companies do and Dollar General itself did with a basket of alleged Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations in 2022.
READ MORE: OSHA: Unsafe Dollar Generals in Florida, other states worth $2.7 million more in fines
“As a growing retailer serving thousands of communities across the country, Dollar General is committed to providing a safe work environment for its associates and shopping experience for its customers,” Dollar General said in an emailed statement.
“We regularly review and refine our safety programs, and reinforce them through training, ongoing communication, recognition and accountability. When we learn of situations where we have failed to live up to this commitment, we work to timely address the issue and ensure that the company’s expectations regarding safety are clearly communicated, understood and implemented.”
The Labor Department begs to differ. In announcing the most recent citations in Brandon and Dade City, the agency noted in Florida, Alabama and Georgia alone that Dollar General stores racked up $10 million in proposed penalties between Feb. 1, 2022, and April 20 of this year.
“After more than 200 failed inspections, Dollar General cannot claim that they misunderstand federal safety requirements. At this point, we can only conclude that they choose to continue exposing their employees to hazardous conditions,” OSHA Area Director Danelle Jindra said. “Dollar General must make changes to correct these recurring violations before a worker is needlessly injured or worse.”
The single citation in the Dade City store at 14645 Seventh St. concerned an exit route blocked by U-boats and rolltainers. That proposed $156,259 fine mirrored a citation and proposed fine in Brandon as a Repeat-Serious citation. OSHA cited Dollar General locations in Lady Lake, Florida; Adams, New York; and Dalton, Georgia for the same thing.
Two other citations OSHA found in Brandon that “exposed employees to fire and electrical hazards:”
“Extension cords were used as a permanent method and daisy-chained to power a microwave, refrigerator, freezer and as a substitute for fixed electrical wiring.”
“The temporary power strip was not used in accordance with its instructions ... and was daisy-chained with two extension cords on the working floor surface while stockroom and office operations were being performed.”
Workplace safety complaints can be filed to the Occupational Safety Health Administration online, by calling 800-321-6742 (OSHA), faxing or emailing your local OSHA office or showing up at your local OSHA office.
