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The Labor Department has detailed an investigation that found one of the nation’s largest food safety sanitation services providers illegally employed more than 100 children in hazardous work conditions across 13 facilities in eight states.
DOL said its investigation into Packers Sanitation Services Inc., based in Wisconsin, found that at least 102 children ages 13-17 were illegally employed using hazardous chemicals and equipment such back saws, brisket saws, and head splitters — often on overnight shifts.
The department said investigators learned that three minors suffered injuries while working for PSSI, including one 13-year-old who suffered chemical burns.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the department fined the company $15,138 for each minor illegally employed.
The total penalty paid by the company totaled $1,544,076 and is the maximum civil penalty allowed by federal law, DOL said.
Overall, the company paid $1.5 million in civil penalties for the employment of 102 children in 13 facilities across Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Texas.
