Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), one of the nation’s largest food safety sanitation services providers, has paid $1.5 million in civil money penalties after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the company employed at least 102 children in hazardous occupations and had them working overnight shifts at 13 meat processing facilities in eight states.
The employer’s payment of civil money penalties is the result of the division’s investigation of PSSI, based in Kieler, Wisconsin. The division found that children were working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning meat processing equipment including back saws, brisket saws, and head splitters. Investigators learned at least three minors suffered injuries while working for PSSI.