[KARAH RUCKER]
DOLLAR GENERAL HAS AGREED TO PAY A 12 MILLION DOLLAR FINE — AND IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AT THOUSANDS OF ITS STORE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THE COMPANY REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH OSHA TO RESOLVE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS… INCLUDING UNSAFE STORAGE, BLOCKED EMERGENCY EXITS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND INACCESSIBLE ELECTRICAL PANELS.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT — IF INSPECTORS FIND SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE — DOLLAR GENERAL COULD BE FINED UP TO 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY IF THEY’RE NOT RESOLVED WITHIN 48 HOURS.
THE TERMS OF THE DEAL ALSO REQUIRE DOLLAR GENERAL TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE INVENTORY AND IMPROVE STOCKING TO PREVENT HAZARDS… AND HIRE MORE SAFETY MANAGERS — AS WELL AS CREATE A HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE WITH EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION.