A San Diego McDonald’s franchisee will pay a $25,920 fine after the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division found minors loading and operating indoor trash compactors.
Investigators found teen workers under the age of 18 performing the hazardous work at three Santa Ana restaurants operated by Man-Cal Inc. and Cal-Man Corp.
Loading and operating trash compactors is considered a hazardous task and employing minors in such activities is a violation of the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), according to a DOL news release.
Under the FLSA’s child labor provisions, minors less than 18 years of age are generally prohibited “from loading, operating and unloading power-driven compactors and paper processing machines, including trash compactors and paper and cardboard balers.”
A total of 18 minors were observed loading and operating compactors at the three restaurants.
In addition to the fine, the franchisee agreed to ensure additional training and oversight for managers and employees at all 10 of its locations.
