N. Wilmington Dollar Tree store faces $143,000 workplace safety fine

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Dollar Tree  has been cited for exposing employees to safety hazards at a store located at 2603 Silverside Road in Wilmington.

The  federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for three safety violations-including two willful-following an October 2013 inspection initiated in response to a complaint alleging that emergency exits were blocked and boxes were stacked dangerously high. Proposed penalties total $143,000, an OSHA release stated.

“These are common hazards found at retail establishments,” said Prentice Cline, acting director of OSHA’s Wilmington Area Office. “It is imperative that Dollar Tree take the appropriate steps to protect its workers by not only fixing the dangers at this store, but by evaluating all locations for similar safety concerns.”

The  willful violations were cited because the company failed to keep exit routes unobstructed and ensure material  was stacked in a way that was stable to prevent sliding and collapse, according to a release.

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The company also was cited for one serious violation, which carries a $3,000 penalty, for failure to ensure fire extinguishers were readily accessible to employees without subjecting them to injury.

The citations can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/DollarTreeStoresInc_943537.pdf*.

Dollar Tree Stores has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest its citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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