Poultry processor fined $213K after teen worker is pulled into a machine and dies
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.
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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 GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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