Dollar General Agrees to $12 Million Fine, Promises Safer Work Environments

By Madz Dizon

Jul 11, 2024 10:06 PM EDT

Dollar General Agrees to $12 Million Fine, Promises Safer Work Environments — The exterior of a Dollar General convenience store is seen on March 16, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Dollar General reported mixed quarterly earnings, with its fourth quarter falling short of analysts expectations.
(Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Dollar General has reached a settlement with the US Department of Labor, agreeing to pay a $12 million fine and implement safety improvements across its retail stores nationwide.

This move aims to enhance the working conditions for its employees.

Dollar General Settles OSHA Allegations, Agrees to Safety Reforms

According to AP News, a settlement has been reached between the discount retailer and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to address a series of alleged violations.

These violations encompassed unsafe storage practices, blocked emergency exits and fire extinguishers, as well as inaccessible electrical panels.

Inspectors have the authority to impose fines of $100,000 per day on Dollar General for any unresolved issues within 48 hours, according to the agreement.

To ensure safety, Dollar General, the leading chain of dollar stores in the country, must make substantial changes to its inventory management and stocking practices as part of the agreement.

Dollar General should consider increasing the number of safety managers and creating a health and safety committee that includes employee involvement.

The Labor Department has announced that the agreement includes all 20,000 stores of the company in the US, excluding its pOpshelf locations in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

As per the Labor Department, Dollar General has taken proactive measures to ensure workplace safety by enlisting the expertise of an external consultant and an independent auditor. Their objective was to identify any potential hazards and provide recommendations for their elimination.

Safety Overhaul and Inspection Protocols at Dollar General

As part of the settlement, the company has agreed to hire more safety managers, enhance its safety and health management system, provide comprehensive training to employees and managers, and establish a safety and health committee.

The settlement also mandates that the company make substantial changes to its inventory management and stocking practices in order to ensure the safety of its premises and prevent any potential hazards related to blocked exits and unsafe material storage.

The government has stated that if any future hazards are not addressed within 48 hours, the retailer may be subject to a fine of up to $100,000 per day of violation, with a maximum penalty of $500,000.

Additionally, the Labor Department may conduct an inspection. The department announced that the company will be submitting quarterly reports, Reuters reported.