PORTLAND, Ore — State inspectors found serious workplace safety violations at a Dollar Tree store in Northeast Portland after a rodent infestation.
Oregon Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) fined the company $1,900. Dollar Tree has 30 days to appeal the proposed penalty.
In August, the Dollar Tree store in Portland’s Lloyd District temporarily shut down after a KGW investigation found ripped food packaging, chewed food labels, rodent feces on shelves and a dead mouse in an air vent. The store has since re-opened.
Employees complained of nausea, light-headedness and headaches after being exposed to dead mice, rodent urine and droppings.
Oregon OSHA records indicate Dollar Tree didn’t do enough to keep rodents out of the store and failed to provide proper safety equipment for employees who were asked to clean up.
In September, an employee filed a lawsuit against Dollar Tree and his store manager. Daniel Walker claimed his bosses made him clean up rodent urine and feces without proper equipment inside the Northeast Portland store. Additionally, Walker said the company retaliated against him for cooperating with state inspectors.
KGW reached out to Dollar Tree for comment and is waiting for a response.