Poultry Plant Settlement After Teen's Death
- Mississippi poultry processing plant settles with OSHA after a teen's tragic death.
- Settlement includes fines and enhanced safety measures.
- 16-year-old boy died at the facility.
– Mar-Jac Poultry, a Mississippi poultry processing plant, has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor, agreeing to pay $164,814 in fines and implement enhanced safety measures following the tragic death of a 16-year-old worker. The settlement, announced on Friday, follows an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into the incident, which occurred on July 14, 2023, when the teenager was pulled into a machine during cleaning. OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer emphasized the need for Mar-Jac to take immediate action to ensure a safer workplace, stating, “This settlement demands the company commit to a safer workplace environment and take tangible actions to protect their employees from well-known hazards.” He highlighted that improved supervision and training are essential to mitigate risks in meat processing facilities. The victim's family has filed a lawsuit against Mar-Jac Poultry MS, LLC, and Onin Staffing, alleging negligence. The lawsuit claims that the company ignored safety regulations, including failing to turn off machinery during sanitation, which directly contributed to the boy's death. Additionally, it accuses Onin Staffing of unlawfully assigning the underage worker to the facility. Mar-Jac Poultry, headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, has been in operation since 1954, raising live birds for poultry production across several states. As of Friday, the company had not responded to requests for comment regarding the settlement.