Dollar General fined more than $245K for exposing workers to fire hazards

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Dollar General Corp. for exposing workers to fire hazards at one if its Pennsylvania locations, with the proposed fines of $245,544 adding to the millions in financial penalties against the company since 2017.

OSHA on Friday announced it issued a citation for one willful violation and one repeat violation after inspectors were tipped off to various safety hazards at the Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Dollar General store in November 2022.

Inspectors visited the location and found employees exposed to fire hazards related to blocked exit routes and electrical panels, according to OSHA.

OSHA said the fines against the Pennsylvania store add to the growing number of citations and penalties against Dollar General nationwide stemming from more than 180 investigations.

The retailer has been fined a total of $15 million since 2017.

The company has 15 days to contest the latest citation.

Dollar General Corp. is based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and operates about 18,000 stores and 17 distribution centers in 47 states.