A Mississippi slaughterhouse supplying chicken to renowned companies like Chick-fil-A, has been found responsible for the tragic death of a 16-year-old sanitation worker.
The incident occurred in July 2023 when Duvan Pérez, a young worker, was pulled into a machine while cleaning the deboning area at the Mar-Jac plant in Hattiesburg.
The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revealed in a press release that this marks the second instance in just two years where Mar-Jac Poultry has "disregarded safety standards," resulting in the death of a worker. OSHA, citing serious violations, has proposed fines exceeding $200,000 against the Georgia-based company.
OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer lamented the company's lack of action, stating, "Mar-Jac Poultry is aware of how dangerous the machinery they use can be when safety standards are not in place to prevent serious injury and death. The company's inaction has directly led to this terrible tragedy, which has left so many to mourn this child's preventable death."
Duvan Pérez became the second victim at the Mar-Jac plant in a span of two years, both incidents involving workers being pulled into machines. OSHA officials highlighted that, despite a Mar-Jac manager being present in the vicinity during Pérez's accident, proper procedures were not employed to disconnect power to the machinery.
Mar-Jac Poultry, when approached for comment on OSHA's findings, declined to respond. However, in an October statement, the company asserted that all safety procedures had been diligently followed. Mar-Jac attorney Larry Stine, in an earlier statement, mentioned the company's comprehensive investigation into the accident and emphasized that no errors were found in the actions of safety or human resources employees.
Chick-fil-A, a major buyer of chicken from Mar-Jac, has not yet commented on the OSHA findings. However, in October, a company spokesperson assured NBC News that they were reviewing their own investigation and response procedures to uphold high safety standards for their suppliers.
Debbie Berkowitz, a workplace safety expert and former OSHA official during the Obama administration, expressed grave concerns about the safety record of Mar-Jac Poultry. She asserted, "These are incredibly serious alleged safety violations that cost a child's life - a child who was not supposed to even be exposed to this dangerous workplace. ... The poor safety track record of this plant and the company is alarming - workers should not get killed in a poultry plant," according to NBC News.
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US Labor Dept Investigates Pérez's Death
In the aftermath of Pérez's death, the US Labor Department initiated two investigations. OSHA's investigation focused on the circumstances of the teenager's death, while the department's Wage and Hour Division delved into the hiring practices that led to the employment of a 16-year-old in such hazardous conditions. The latter investigation remains ongoing.
It has been revealed that Pérez was hired using the false identity of a 32-year-old man, a violation of federal laws prohibiting the employment of individuals under 18 in slaughterhouses due to the inherent dangers of the job. Larry Stine clarified that Pérez was recruited through a third-party staffing agency.
The Department of Labor highlighted a concerning surge in illegal child labor across industries, nearly doubling since 2019. Over 800 child labor investigations are currently underway in 47 states, reflecting a worrisome trend.
In a plea for cooperation, the Labor Department sought assistance from current and former Mar-Jac employees in their child labor investigation, citing reluctance among current employees to speak out due to fears of repercussions.
When asked about Mar-Jac's reaction to discovering Pérez's real age, Larry Stine admitted, "Yes, they were surprised, that I can tell you. They were surprised and somewhat horrified." He also downplayed the potential impact of fines on the company, suggesting that the negative publicity is a more significant concern. As investigations continue, the tragic death of Duvan Pérez underscores the imperative for stringent safety measures in workplaces, particularly in industries prone to hazards, Global Gastronaut reported.
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