US: Large discount retail chains to improve store safety after OSHA settlement agreement

The following is an abridgement of an article appearing on the US Dept. of Labour OSHA site.

Two of the nation’s largest discount retail chains, have entered into a corporate-wide settlement agreement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to improve workplace safety at thousands of stores nationwide.

The settlement agreement

The agreement, announced by the U.S. Department of Labor on August 17th, 2023, requires the companies to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the root causes of the violations OSHA has repeatedly cited at multiple stores, such as blocked exits, access to fire extinguishers and electrical panels, and improper material storage. The companies must also correct any future violations within 48 hours of OSHA notifying them, or face monetary assessments of up to $500,000 and OSHA enforcement actions. The agreement covers all stores belonging to the chains, and within federal OSHA jurisdiction, for up to two years.

The companies have also agreed to pay $1.35 million in penalties to settle existing and open inspections of similar alleged violations.

What actions will they take?

Additionally, they will also:

• Form safety advisory groups
• Enhance hazard identification and control programs
• Develop an audit program
• Create a new employee training program
• Hire additional safety professionals

One of the companies will also maintain a 24-hour hotline to receive safety complaints and establish a tracking system to ensure complaints are addressed. Further, they will also hold quarterly meetings with OSHA to discuss progress toward systemic improvements.

Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said:

“This agreement focuses on improving working conditions at thousands of stores nationwide.”

“[They] have agreed to significant investments to more effectively identify and correct the root causes of the hazards most commonly found during OSHA inspections, including blocked exits and unstable stacking of materials.”

Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda said:

“We were willing to use this approach because these companies had already taken substantial steps to address the systemic issues, which gave us confidence that this innovative approach would work.”

Sources

Department of Labor announces corporate-wide settlement agreement with Dollar Tree, Family Dollar to address hazards at thousands of US stores, by OSHA, 23rd August, 2023.