A janitorial company has been fined $649,000 after an investigation found it hired minors for dangerous jobs cleaning slaughterhouses, including those as young as 13. Federal labor law prohibits children from certain tasks in slaughterhouses due to hazardous conditions. The company, Fayette Janitorial Service, must pay the fine, hire a third party to prevent child labor, and set up a reporting system for concerns about children being employed. The company stated that it has taken immediate action to address the use of fraudulent identification documents and is dedicated to providing a safe work environment for all employees.
Children were found working at a Seaboard Triumph Foods plant in Iowa and a Perdue Farms poultry processing facility in Virginia, cleaning dangerous equipment on the kill floor. Perdue Farms terminated its contract with Fayette Janitorial Services before the DOL’s injunction was issued, stating that underage labor has no place in their business or industry. Seaboard also ended its contracts with Fayette. Instances of illegal child labor have been increasing, with other contractors being fined for employing minors in hazardous occupations and having them work overnight shifts.
The DOL’s investigation into Fayette Janitorial Service revealed that minors were using dangerous equipment such as head splitters, jaw pullers, meat bandsaws, and neck clippers. The company’s statement to CNN emphasized that they have cooperated with the DOL and have made significant investments in systems and technologies to prevent similar issues in the future. The company has the goal of maintaining a safe and compliant work environment for all employees. A federal court issued a temporary injunction against Fayette in response to the DOL’s request in February, leading to the remedies imposed on the company.
The fine imposed on Fayette Janitorial Service stems from the use of fraudulent identification documents that allowed individuals under 18 to circumvent the company’s policies and procedures. The company acknowledged the need for immediate action to address this issue and claimed that investments in proprietary systems and technologies have closed the gap that enabled such situations to occur. The company remains committed to ensuring a safe and compliant work environment for all employees, as stated in their response to the DOL’s investigation. The consequences faced by Fayette serve as a warning to other contractors about the risks and penalties associated with employing minors in hazardous occupations.
Overall, the case of Fayette Janitorial Service highlights the dangers and consequences of employing minors in hazardous jobs, particularly in slaughterhouses where federal labor laws prohibit children from certain tasks. The company’s cooperation with the DOL, investments in technology, and commitment to a safe work environment demonstrate steps taken to address the issue of child labor. The fines imposed on Fayette and other contractors underscore the seriousness of violating labor laws and risking the safety and well-being of young workers. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing regulations to protect minors and ensuring compliance with workplace safety standards in all industries.
