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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8211
The U.S. Department of Labor has levied the maximum penalty for child
labor violations to a Wyoming employer because of an accident that resulted in
second- and third-degree burns to a 16-year-old boy working illegally.
"Violations of our child labor laws are unacceptable in this day and
age," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "We will hold companies
accountable when they put employees--and especially children--at risk."
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division in Salt Lake City, Utah,
fined L. and H. Welding and Machine Co. in Rock Springs, Wyo., $10,000 for
allowing the accident victim to clean a machine designed to roll and shear
metal. Operating, cleaning, oiling, setting up or repairing power-driven
metal-forming, punching or shearing machines is specifically prohibited for
youth under age 18.
On April 12, the victim received third-degree burns to his arms, hands
and knees; second-degree burns to his face and neck, calves, shins, sides and
back; and his left ear was partially melted. The boy was treated at a Rock
Springs hospital, then flown to the Intermountain Burn Center at the University
of Utah Medical Center, where he remained in intensive care until April 30.
Since the accident, he has undergone skin-grafting surgeries, wears pressure
garments and has physical therapy 5 days a week.
The accident occurred when the victim was using solvent with a brush
and rags to clean an oil build up on the back of the machine. The rags caught
fire and burned him.
Wage and Hour received a report on the accident from the Wyoming State
Labor Department and conducted a full investigation of this tragic case.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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