Despite a long history of violations, OSHA finds that Dollar General continues to expose its workers to safety hazards.

After an inspection at a Shamokin, Pennsylvania, store, OSHA issued citations to the company for three repeat violations, one serious and one other-than-serious safety violation.

Proposed fines: $69,300.

Locked doors and extension cords

OSHA inspectors found exit doors sealed and locked with locks which require special knowledge to use, as well as electrical hazards created by extension cords used improperly.

OSHA cited the company previously for the same violations from 2011 to 2016 at stores in Missouri, New York, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Kansas.

The serious citation relates to emergency exits not clearly marked and visible, and unmarked circuit breakers produced the other-than-serious violation.

"By locking an emergency exit and failing to correct hazardous conditions, Dollar General has again discounted the importance of ensuring workplace safety. This company's long and extensive history of violations and penalties shows a continued disregard for the safety and health of their employees and customers," said Mark Stelmack, OSHA's area director in Wilkes-Barre.

74 inspections in six years

Since November 2010, OSHA has inspected Dollar General stores 74 times and issued 117 citations. Blocked exits and electrical panels and fire extinguishers maintained improperly are among the violations found commonly.

Headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General is a discount retailer with more than 100,000 employees in 12,000 store locations in 43 states nationwide. Workers are typically engaged in stocking shelves and selling merchandise.