Mississippi Poultry Plant Settles with Labor Department Following Teen Worker’s Death
Mar-Jac Poultry, a Mississippi-based poultry processing plant, has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor following the tragic death of a 16-year-old worker at its facility. The agreement includes $164,814 in fines and the implementation of enhanced safety measures.
The incident occurred on July 14, 2023, when the young worker was pulled into a machine while cleaning it. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation into the fatality.
OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer emphasized the critical need for a safer workplace, stressing the importance of enhanced supervision and increased training to minimize risks in such hazardous environments.
In response to the incident, the victim’s family has filed a lawsuit against Mar-Jac Poultry MS, LLC, and Onin Staffing. The legal action alleges safety regulation violations and negligence in assigning an underage worker to a dangerous task. Jim Reeves, the family’s attorney, criticized Mar-Jac for reportedly ignoring previous safety warnings and fines from OSHA.
Mar-Jac Poultry, headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, has been in operation since 1954. The company operates facilities in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, providing poultry production for food service customers both domestically and internationally.
As of the latest update, Mar-Jac Poultry has not issued a comment regarding the settlement. The case continues to highlight ongoing concerns about workplace safety in the poultry processing industry, particularly regarding the employment of minors in potentially hazardous roles.
