Two Dollar Generals in Alabama have been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safety violations.

According to OSHA, inspectors cited Dollar General locations in Addison and Haleyville after workplace safety inspections in October and November 2022. The inspections found spare shelving, rolling containers and merchandise blocking exit routes, creating fire and entrapment hazards. OSHA also noted walkways blocked by merchandise and unsafely stacked items, exposing workers to trips and hazards from falling merchandise.

In December 2022, similar violations were found at a Dollar General store in Astor, Florida, where OSHA said items blocked fire extinguishers and allowed employees to store materials improperly around the space of an electrical panel.

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“In one workplace after another, our investigators continue to find the same hazards at Dollar General stores,” said OSHA Area Director Joel Batiz in Birmingham. “The Dollar General Corporation needs to make changes to address the recurring violations before there is a tragedy.”

The three stores were cited for eight repeat violations with proposed penalties of more than $1 million. Dollar General has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Since 2017, Dollar General has faced more than $21 million in fines after more than 240 inspections nationwide. Between Feb. 1, 2022 and April 20, 2023 – in Alabama, Florida and Georgia alone – inspectors have assessed Dollar General nearly $9 million in proposed penalties after 28 investigations.

The Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based discount chain operates about 19,000 stores and 28 distribution centers in 47 states and employs some 173,000 workers.

Last week, Dollar General shareholders voted for an independent audit of the chain’s workplace safety policies amid complaints from employees, regulators and activists.