Dollar General has faced millions of dollars in fines over the past several years for workplace safety violations.  The Tennessee- based company, that operates seven stores in Chattooga County, is appealing the latest round of fines from the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA)

Since 2017, the company 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.

“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, Alabama. “The Dollar General Corporation needs to make changes to address the recurring violations before there is a tragedy.”

Based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp LLC operate about 19,000 stores and 28 distribution centers in 47 states and employ more than 173,000 workers. In fiscal year 2022, the company reported more than $9 billion in net sales.

Dollar General has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.