Tennessee Manufacturer Fined $300,000 for Employing Minors on Dangerous Equipment

The Labor Department announced a fine of nearly $300,000 for a Tennessee-based manufacturer, Tuff Torq Corp., for unlawfully employing minors to operate dangerous equipment. The company, known for producing outdoor power-equipment components for various popular brands, including John Deere, Toro, and Yamaha, has also been ordered to allocate $1.5 million in profits for the 10 children it employed. This decision was made as part of a consent judgment entered in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Department's Statement

The wage and hour division administrator at the Labor Department, Jessica Looman, stated, "Our work will help prevent the next death or injury by ensuring Tuff Torq takes immediate and significant steps to stop the illegal employment of children". This emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action to address these violations.

Company's Response

Despite the announcement, neither Tuff Torq nor its parent company, Yanmar Co., provided any comment in response to the request for their feedback. This lack of response adds to the severity of the situation and raises questions about the company's stance on the issue.

Increasing Child Labor Violations

This fine comes at a time when child labor violations are on the rise across the country. According to federal reports, there were 5,792 minors found working in violation of child labor laws in the year ending Sept. 30, 2023, marking a significant increase and reaching levels not seen in nearly two decades. This escalation can be attributed to various factors, including a tight labor market leading to shortages in several industries and a surge in immigration bringing unaccompanied minors into the United States.

Federal Investigation and Violation

The fine and sanctions issued against Tuff Torq are the result of a Labor Department investigation that commenced in late January. During the investigation, federal inspectors witnessed a child operating a "power-driven hoisting apparatus" at the Tuff Torq facilities. Additionally, the company faced objections regarding the shipment of goods from the Morristown facility, invoking the "hot goods" provision of federal labor law, which prohibits the sale of goods produced with illegal labor.