OSHA Inspection: DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.

Issued

Jul 11, 2023

Abate by

Jul 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $156,259 · Current $15,650 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3):Exit route(s) are not kept free and unobstructed.  Locations:   (a) Storeroom, exit route to/from retail store space: On or about January 25, 2023, the white double exit door between the storeroom and retail store space was not kept free and unobstructed in that one of the double doors was blocked on the storeroom side by two U-boats full of boxes full of houseware/food products.   (b) Storeroom, exit route from Health & Personal Care section: On or about January 25, 2023, the exit route to either exit in the storeroom was reduced in width to less than 10" and obstructed by boxes of merchandise.  (c) Storeroom, exit route from Pet/Toy Section: On or about January 25, 2023, the exit route to either exit in the storeroom was reduced in width to less than 12" and obstructed by boxes of merchandise.  (d) Storeroom, exit route from Mop Sink janitorial area: On or about January 25, 2023, the exit route to either exit in the storeroom was reduced in width to less than 19" and obstructed by stacked empty cardboard boxes and other miscellaneous items.  (e) Storeroom, exit route from Employee Break Area: On or about January 25, 2023, the exit route to either exit in the storeroom was reduced in width to less than 24" and obstructed by boxes of merchandise and U-boats.  The employer routinely fails to ensure that exit routes are kept free and unobstructed as required by the standard, as demonstrated during CSHO January 25, 2023 inspection, and again during CSHO January 31, 2023 follow-up inspection, when exit routes were blocked and/or reduced in width in the storeroom of the Dollar Tree store at 125 Church Street, Pembroke, MA 02359.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1597674, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on 12/21/2022, with respect to a workplace located at 35 Mulberry Commercial Park, Richmond Hill, GA, 31324.    Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1587972, citation number 1, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on 10/06/2022, with respect to a workplace located at 810 Gilmer Street, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482.    Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1579408, citation number 1, item number 2, group a, and was affirmed as a final order on 05/19/2022, with respect to a workplace located at 395 Admiral Street, Providence, RI, 02905.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Willful - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1440331, citation number 2, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 10/25/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 8020 S 84th Street, La Vista, NE, 68128.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Willful - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1451149, citation number 1, item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on 08/30/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 7230 Fairlane Village Mall, Pottsville, PA, 17901.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Willful - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3) which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1428448, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 08/30/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 3821 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, PA, 18020.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Willful - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1433182, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 08-17-2021, with respect to a workplace located at 2300 Roosevelt Avenue, Marinette, WI, 54143.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Willful - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1431460, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 04-05-2021, with respect to a workplace located at 1041 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02134.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1453267, citation number 2, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on 04-05-2021, with respect to a workplace located at 1238 Bedford Street Abington MA 02351.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1464979, citation number 2, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 04-05-2021, with respect to a workplace located at 999 North Montello Street, Brockton MA 02301.

Issued

Jul 11, 2023

Abate by

Jul 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $98,219 · Current $15,650 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.176(b):Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse.  Location:  (a) Storeroom, Health & Personal Care section: On or about January 25, 2023, material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse.  (b) Storeroom, Pet/Toy Section: On or about January 25, 2023, large boxes of product were piled on top of each other, not in a blocked stagger pattern, not stored in any order of size or weight nor braced, resulting in unstable boxes with tipped and falling piles.  (c) Storeroom, Section mixed with food, personal hygiene, and household products: On or about January 25, 2023, boxes of product were piled on top of each other, not in a blocked stagger pattern, not stored in any order of size or weight nor braced, resulting in unstable boxes with tipped and falling piles.  (d) Storeroom, Housewares: On or about January 25, 2023, material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse.  The employer routinely fails to ensure that material is stored securely as required by the standard, as demonstrated during CSHO January 25, 2023 inspection, and again during CSHO January 31, 2023 follow-up inspection, when boxes of merchandise were not stacked in a stable manner in the storeroom of the Dollar Tree store at 125 Church Street, Pembroke, MA 02359.   The Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.176(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1484134, citation number 1, item number 3, and was affirmed as a final order on 09-23-2021 with respect to a workplace located at 22-03 Fair Lawn Ave. Fair Lawn, New Jersey 07410.  The Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.176(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1452650, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 07-01-2021 with respect to a workplace located at 675 Yellowstone Ave. Pocatello, ID 83201.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.176(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1464979, citation number 2, item number 2, and was affirmed as a final order on 04-05-2021, with respect to a workplace located at 999 North Montello Street, Brockton MA 02301.

Issued

Jul 11, 2023

Abate by

Jul 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $98,219 · Current $15,650 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b):The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tank cars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks were not in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in CFR 1910.6.  Location: Storeroom, Compressed Gas Cylinder Storage Area located under storage rack shelving  (a) Storeroom, Compressed Gas Cylinder Storage Area:  On or about January 25, 2023, the Helium compressed gas cylinders storage does not prominently post the names of the gases to be stored, in accordance with the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, Section 3.3.2.   (b) Storeroom, Compressed Gas Cylinder Storage Area:  On or about January 25, 2023, the Helium compressed gas cylinders storage area is not set up with separate storage areas for charged and empty cylinders, and with the storage layout so planned that cylinders comprising old stock can be removed first with a minimum handling of other cylinders in accordance with the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, Section 3.3.4.   (c) Storeroom, Compressed Gas Cylinder Storage Area:  On or about January 25, 2023, the Helium compressed gas cylinders were not secured properly. In accordance with the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, Section 3.3.1 titled "Storing Cylinders", it states: Cylinders should be stored in accordance with all local, state and municipal regulations and in accordance with appropriate standards of the Compressed Gas Association and the National Fire Protection Association.   In any instance where a cylinder could be knocked over, causing injury to an employee, a means of securely storing the cylinder must be provided. Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, Section 3.4.4 further states: Before using cylinder, be sure it is properly supported to prevent it from being knocked over.  According to the CGA-1-2008, Safe Handling of Compressed Gases In Containers, 11th Edition, Section 5.8.4, Cylinder Positions in Storage, which may be even more appropriate to reference, it states: All compressed gas cylinders in service or in storage at user locations shall be secured to prevent falling or rolling. At gas suppliers' facilities and distributors' warehouses, the nesting of cylinders is considered an equivalent safe manner of storage. Nesting of cylinders might not be adequate in seismically active areas, so additional measures may be required to prevent the cylinders from falling  (see Appendix A). Properly secured gas cylinders may be stored in a horizontal position.  Additionally, per Massachusetts Fire Code 2009, Chapter 30, Section 3003.5.3 titled "Securing Compressed Gas Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks", it states:  Compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks shall be secured to prevent falling caused by contact, vibration or seismic activity. Securing of compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks shall be by one of the following methods: 1. Securing containers, cylinders and tanks to a fixed object with one or more restraints. 2. Securing containers, cylinders and tanks on a cart or other mobile device designed for the movement of compressed gas containers, cylinders or tanks. 3. Nesting of compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks at container filling or servicing facilities or in seller's warehouses not accessible to the public. Nesting shall be allowed provided the nested containers, cylinders or tanks, if dislodged, do not obstruct the required means of egress. 4. Securing of compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks to or within a rack, framework, cabinet or similar assembly designed for such use.  The employer routinely fails to properly store compressed gas helium cylinders as required by the standard, as demonstrated during CSHO inspection January 25, 2023, and again during January 31, 2023 CSHO follow-up inspection, when compressed gas helium cylinders were not firmly secured to prevent falling, the name of the gas was not prominently posted, nor were there separate storage areas for charged and empty cylinders in the storeroom of the Dollar Tree store at 125 Church Street, Pembroke, MA 02359.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.101(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1529043, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 01/12/2022, with respect to a workplace located at 1777 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton, WI, 53024.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.101(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1443323, citation number 3, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/17/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 849 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore, NY, 11706.  Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. was previously cited for a Repeat - Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, 29 CFR 1910.101(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1440331, citation number 3, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 10/25/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 8020 S 84th Street, La Vista, NE, 68128.