Leada Gore

Dollar General has agreed to pay $12 million and address safety violations as part of a settlement with the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with OSHA to resolve these matters. We remain committed to ensuring a safe working environment for our employees and a pleasant shopping experience for our customers,” Dollar General told The Associated Press.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Tennessee-based discount chain has agreed to hire additional safety managers, reduce inventory and speed up stocking to prevent blocked exits and unsafe storage and provide additional health and safety training. The company must also correct hazards – and submit proof of the changes – for issues such as blocked exits, access to fire extiguishers and electric panels and improper storage of materials. Failure to address these issues can lead to fine of up to $500,000, OSHA said.