Industry News

Poultry processor fined $213K after teen worker is pulled into a machine and dies

Jan. 22, 2024

Mar-Jac Poultry MS was cited for 14 serious and three other-than-serious violations.

An OSHA investigation has determined that Mar-Jac Poultry MS, LLC disregarded safety standards, leading to the death of a 16-year-old contract sanitation worker. The worker was performing a deep cleaning of the deboning area when the incident occurred. The machine was unfortunately still energized, and the teen worker became caught in the rotating shaft and sprockets. The worker was pulled into the machine and suffered fatal injuries.

OSHA’s investigation determined that lockout/tagout procedures were not utilized and a lockout/tagout device was not used on the machine. The poultry processing plant was cited for 14 serious and three other-than-serious violations. These violations include failing to utilize energy control procedures, not covering open holes in 480-volt electrical cabinets and failing to ensure that machinery retained guarding. Mar-Jac Poultry MS faces $212,646 in penalties.

This is the second time in two years that a worker suffered fatal injuries at the plant. In 2021, a worker’s sleeve became caught in a machine, pulling them in and causing their death. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is also investigating the poultry processing plant regarding possible child labor violations.

In a recent quote, OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer said, "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."

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About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector.