A Dollar Tree in B.C. was hit with a substantial fine after a WorkSafeBC inspection uncovered several safety violations, and it was way more than a dollar.
According to a WorkSafeBC summary, the Dollar Tree in question, which is located in Fort St. John and is classified as a “large retail store,” was hit with a fine of a whopping $129,482.89.
The WorkSafeBC summary says the fine was due to issues with storage racks and other violations. The violation summary was imposed last month.
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“WorkSafeBC inspected this firm’s retail store location and observed multiple health and safety deficiencies,” the summary notes.
“The firm failed to ensure storage rack rated capacity was clearly posted, and that material and equipment [were] stacked in a stable and secure manner.”
Another cause for concern was the fact that, according to WorkSafeBC, the Dollar Tree location didn’t provide employees with information, instruction, training or supervision that was necessary to ensure their health and safety.
It also wasn’t the first time that this specific B.C. Dollar Tree location was hit with penalties, as the summary states, “all were repeated violations.”
We contacted WorkSafeBC to ask how it determines the fines for violations. Its website states, “Administrative penalties are fines imposed on employers for health and safety violations of the Workers Compensation Act.”
It adds, “Penalties are published as a deterrent and to highlight the importance of making workplaces safe.”
WorkSafeBC told Daily Hive that penalties can be larger if certain factors are present, “such as for high-risk or intentional circumstances, or if the employer has received a penalty for a substantially similar violation in the past three years.”
We were also informed that the penalty is “usually based on the size of the employer’s payroll and the nature of the violation.”
We’ve reached out to Dollar Tree for comment.