DOL Investigation Reveals Major Food Sanitation Company Illegally Employed 102 Minors in Hazardous Occupations

A US Department of Labor investigation has revealed that a major food sanitation company illegally employed at least 102 children between the ages of 13 and 17 in hazardous occupations. Packers Sanitation Services (PSSI) employed the children to clean meat processing equipment such as back saws, head splitters and brisket saws at 13 meat processing plants in eight states.

The children were exposed to dangerous conditions, including working with caustic chemicals and razor-sharp saws. Some of the minors were even employed to work overnight shifts. As a result of the investigation, PSSI was fined the maximum civil penalty allowed by federal law — $15,138 for each minor-aged employee “who was employed in violation of the law” — totaling $1.5 million.

The Labor Department (DOL) has expressed its concern over the situation, stating that “children should not be exposed to hazardous conditions and long hours in the workplace.” They have urged employers to “ensure that minors are not employed in hazardous occupations and that they are not working during school hours or late at night.”

The DOL has also encouraged parents and guardians to be aware of their children’s work activities and to report any violations of the law to the appropriate authorities. They have also urged employers to “take the necessary steps to ensure that minors are not employed in hazardous occupations and that they are not working during school hours or late at night.”

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of following labor laws and protecting minors from hazardous working conditions. The DOL has made it clear that it will continue to investigate and enforce violations of the law.