Packers Sanitation Services Fined for Child Labor Violations

Packers Sanitation Services Inc. has paid over $1.5 million in civil monetary penalties after employing minors in hazardous environments at 13 meat processing facilities in eight states.

One of the facilities, located in Friona, employed one minor at Cargill Inc. and was fined $15,138.

A federal Investigation by the Department of Labor found the company employed at least 102 children – from 13 to 17 years of age, in hazardous facilities and had them working overnight shifts.

The department found that children were working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning meat processing equipment that included sharp saws and other high-risk machinery.

Investigators learned at least three minors suffered injuries while working for PSSI at their Cargill Division in Friona.