Wisconsin sawmill to pay $191k after teen’s fatal workplace accident.
MADISON, Wis.—Sawmill Agrees to Pay $191,000 and End Child Labor After Tragic Accident
A northern Wisconsin sawmill has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit filed by labor regulators following a fatal accident and a series of injuries involving child employees. Florence Hardwoods, the sawmill in question, has agreed to pay nearly $191,000 and cease the hiring of children under the age of 16.
The tragedy occurred in July when Michael Schuls, a teenager working at Florence Hardwoods, became trapped in a wood-stacking machine and lost his life. The investigation revealed that three other child employees, aged 15 to 16, had also been injured at the sawmill between November 2021 and March 2023.
Related Stories
The investigation further revealed that Florence Hardwoods had employed nine children, aged 14 to 17, to operate machinery such as saws, which is prohibited for minors in most sawmills and logging facilities. However, Wisconsin law allows children aged 16 and older to work in planing mills like the one at Florence Hardwoods. Planing mills are the final processing sites for lumber.
Additionally, the investigation found that seven child employees, aged 14 to 17, had worked outside of legally permitted hours.
The U.S. Department of Labor filed a civil lawsuit against Florence Hardwoods, but a consent decree had already been reached between the agency and the sawmill’s attorneys in late August. The settlement was approved by U.S. District Judge William Griesbach.
Under the terms of the agreement, Florence Hardwoods will pay approximately $191,000 to the labor department. In return, the department will lift the hot goods restrictions, which prevent the sawmill from selling products made using illegal child labor.
The settlement also includes provisions such as prohibiting the hiring of anyone under 16 and requiring the sawmill to notify the labor department if they hire anyone between 16 and 18. Employees within that age range must be treated as apprentices or student learners, with limited exposure to dangerous tasks and under the supervision of experienced workers.
Furthermore, Florence Hardwoods will be required to label all dangerous equipment with warning stickers and display signs visible from 10 feet away, indicating that individuals under 18 are not allowed in the sawmill and planer mill areas. The facility will also be subject to unannounced inspections.
In response to the settlement, Florence Hardwoods released a statement through their attorney, Jodi Arndt Labs, expressing their devastation over the loss of Michael Schuls and stating that they did not knowingly or intentionally violate labor laws. They have, however, accepted the penalties imposed.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
