Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 002B Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed: Location: Back storage room The back storage room exit route is not kept free or unobstructed by objects such as; boxes and containers of merchandise, and overfilled rolling carts of merchandise. The employer routinely fails to assure effective protection against keeping exit routes unobstructed as required by the standard, as demonstrated on or about 02/14/2020, where employees were exposed to fire and entrapment hazards where an exit route was blocked by boxes, containers of merchandise, and overfilled rolling carts with respect to a workplace located at 450 Nashua Rd. Dracut, MA. Dollar General was previously cited for a repeat violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1422645, Citation 2, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 09/25/2019 with respect to a workplace located at 110 W. Highway 162, Clarkton, MO 63837. Dollar General was previously cited for a repeat violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1352167, Citation 1, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 03/25/2019 with respect to a workplace located at 1640 Glen Carrie Rd. Hull, GA 30646. Dollar General was previously cited for a triple repeat violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1195208, Citation 1, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 03/17/2017 with respect to a workplace located at 154 Sacandaga Rd. Schenectady, NY 12302. Dollar General was previously cited for a triple repeat violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1192554, Citation 2, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 05/26/2017 with respect to a workplace located at 406 E 5th St. Valentine, NE 69201. Dollar General was previously cited for a triple repeat violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1184028, Citation 1, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 03/14/2017 with respect to a workplace located at 63 Prairie Drive, East Prairie, MO 63845. Dollar General was previously cited for a willful violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1077466, Citation 2, Item 1, and was affirmed as a final order on 01/22/2016 with respect to a workplace located at 2222 Texoma Parkway, Sherman, TX 75090. To abate this violation, the employer must ensure that objects such as boxes, containers of merchandise, and rolling carts are not blocking exit routes to ensure all employees would be able to evacuate safely during an emergency. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19 the employer must submit documents describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance; including an explanation of how these steps protect employees from fire and entrapment hazards associated with maintaining unobstructed exit routes.