Worker Safety

Highlights

Candy & Confectionary

CBS News: Children Still Working for Mars Inc.’s Ghana Cocoa Suppliers

Nov. 30, 2023
Children as young as 5 were found harvesting cocoa for Mars suppliers in Ghana; CBS News claims chocolate company has failed to verify its moves to eradicate child labor in its...
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Legal Issues

Fresh Mark to Pay $3.725 Million to Settle Overtime Compensation Lawsuit

Nov. 3, 2023
Settlement will resolve lawsuit in which the Ohio meat processor was accused of not paying employees for pre- and post-shift donning and doffing time.
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Legal Issues

Three California Poultry Processors Face Preliminary Injunction for Child Labor, Wage Violations

Oct. 31, 2023
U.S. Dept. of Labor obtains injunction against Los Angeles-area poultry companies in latest child labor crackdown.
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Legal Issues

Monogram Food Fined for Child Labor at Minnesota Meat Snacks Plant

Oct. 12, 2023
U.S. Dept. of Labor investigation found at least 11 children employed at Monogram Meat Snacks’ Chandler, Minn., processing facility; Monogram fined $140,000.
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Legal Issues

Michigan State Representative Proposes Bill to Increase Penalties for Child Labor Violations

Aug. 28, 2023
State House Bill 4932 would increase fines by five to 10 times the current amount on a sliding scale based on repeat violations and severity of any injuries.
Anhydrous ammonia tank
Plant Safety

Three Maine Processing Plants to Pay Penalties to Settle Alleged Ammonia Safety Violations

Aug. 22, 2023
EPA says Wyman’s and Barber Foods facilities violated Clean Air Act accident prevention requirements and will pay a total of $373,490 in penalties.
gavel justice courtroom library
Legal Issues

Michigan Processor Sentenced for Employment of Illegal Minor Who Lost His Hand in Meat Grinding Accident

Aug. 10, 2023
County judge did not include jail time or probation for the owner of US Guys Processing after November 2019 accident.
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People on the Move

PSSI Names New CEO, Launches Charitable Fund for Children

April 6, 2023
Former Ecolab executive joins PSSI as it moves along the path to rebound from its recent legal issues around the hiring of minor workers.
Broken Chocolate
Worker Safety

Survivor of R.M. Palmer Co. Factory Explosion Fell Into a Vat of Chocolate

April 1, 2023
The liquid extinguished a fire on her arm but broke her heels and collarbone; she was found nine hours later.
Factory Fire
Worker Safety

Seven Dead, Several Hospitalized After Explosion at Candy-Maker R.M. Palmer Co.

March 25, 2023
A March 24 explosion tore apart one of the production buildings of the chocolate-maker northwest of Philadelphia.
Conveyor System
Conveying Equipment

Advances in Conveying and Product Handling for Food & Beverage Manufacturers

Feb. 27, 2023
The safe, expeditious movement of products through plants continues to evolve. We've outlined how processors are working to move product from point A to point B.