The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has imposed a $1.4 million fine on a Wisconsin sawmill, Florence Hardwoods LLC, for violating federal law by permitting minors to operate hazardous machinery. The department also found that the employees involved were not given sufficient training to adhere to safety guidelines for machine maintenance.
According to a DOL news release, an incident occurred on June 29 where a 16-year-old worker became trapped while attempting to unjam a stick stacker machine at Florence Hardwoods LLC. Despite being eventually rescued, the young worker succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su commented on the incident, saying, "There is no excuse for allowing underage workers to operate this type of machinery." She further explained that federal child labor and safety regulations are in place to prevent employers from endangering children and hold companies like Florence Hardwoods accountable for such risks.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation into the company's practices following the incident. According to their findings detailed in the news release, Florence Hardwoods failed to train their workers in safety protocol necessary to prevent dangerous equipment from moving during service and maintenance duties. The day after the fatal accident, all positions held by teenagers at Florence Hardwoods were eliminated. OSHA's investigation also triggered an inquiry by the department’s Wage and Hour Division.
The media release revealed that this was not the first time Florence Hardwoods had been cited for safety violations. An investigation uncovered similar deficiencies related to a citation issued in 2020 concerning machine guarding, fall and electrical hazard violations at the sawmill. Since 2019, five employees at Florence Hardwoods and its subsidiaries have suffered serious injuries due to lockout failures, including a fatality at Minerick Logging where an employee died from injuries sustained while performing maintenance duties on a trailer.
Douglas Parker, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health expressed his dismay at the company's negligence, stating, "It is incomprehensible how the owners of this company could have such disregard for the safety of these children." He added that their reckless and illegal behavior led to a tragic loss of life and emphasized that such actions will never be tolerated.
