Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- The U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division has assessed $12,000 in civil money penalties against the operator of Carl’s Big Star, Highway 20, Town Creek, Ala. Penalties were assessed against the company for allowing minors to work in violation of the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Wage and Hour investigators found that several 16- and 17-year-old employees routinely cleaned power-driven meat-cutting machinery and operated an industrial paper-trash baler.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing too many young workers operating power-driven equipment in violation of the Labor Secretary’s hazardous duty orders,” said Oliver Peebles, III, the Wage and Hour assistant district director in Birmingham. “Working can help youth develop valuable skills, but the jobs they perform must not jeopardize their health and safety.”

The FLSA’s hazardous occupations orders identify jobs and industries deemed too hazardous for workers under 18 years of age.

The Labor Department has a YouthRules! web site, www.youthrules.dol.gov, to educate employers, young workers and parents about youth employment, the jobs they may perform and the hours they may work.

For further information on other requirements of the FLSA, call the department’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243), visit the department’s web site at www.wagehour.dol.gov, or contact the Birmingham district office at 955 22nd St. N., Suite 656; phone: (205) 731-1305.

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