A tragic incident at a Mississippi poultry processing plant has resulted in the death of a 16-year-old employee, prompting investigations by multiple federal, state, and local agencies. The incident occurred Friday evening at the Mar-Jac Poultry facility in Hattiesburg during sanitation operations. Details surrounding the specific circumstances of the accident remain limited, as the company and authorities are withholding information pending the ongoing investigations.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Mississippi Department of Labor, and the Hattiesburg Police Department are all involved in the investigation. Mar-Jac Poultry's complex manager, Joe Colee, expressed condolences to the teen's family and friends in a statement, emphasizing the company's commitment to employee safety. However, a representative at the company's headquarters declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
This is not the first fatal accident at the Hattiesburg plant. News reports indicate three deaths, including this recent tragedy, and one amputation have occurred at the facility within the past three years. OSHA has previously cited Mar-Jac Poultry for safety violations in 2020 and 2021, with penalties totaling over $52,000. Those cases are still open.
The identity of the deceased teenager, a Hattiesburg resident, has not been released due to his age. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death. A key aspect of the investigation revolves around the teen's employment at the plant, as federal law prohibits minors from working in meat and poultry processing facilities due to the hazardous nature of the work. The Fair Labor Standards Act specifically designates sanitation of equipment in such plants as a hazardous activity prohibited for underage workers. It is unclear whether the teen's specific tasks fell under this hazardous classification.
The teen's death has drawn strong reactions, including a statement from PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman condemning the employment of minors in slaughterhouses. The investigations aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine whether any legal or safety regulations were violated.
