Over 100 children illegally employed by a US slaughterhouse cleaning firm have been discovered, according to the US Department of Labor. Packers Sanitation Services Inc (PSSI) employed at least 102 children, ranging from 13 to 17 years old, to work overnight shifts at 13 meat processing facilities in 8 states. The minors were exposed to dangerous chemicals and employed to clean high-risk equipment such as razor-sharp saws, head splitters and other power machinery. At least three minors were reported to have been injured from the hazardous working conditions, including chemical burns.

The DOL assessed the company a total of $1.5 million in civil money penalties for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is the maximum penalty allowed under Federal Law, with $15,138 for each child employed in violation. When the Department of Labor arrived with warrants, the company attempted to cover up