Two businesses in Salt Lake City are in trouble with the Department of Labor (DOL) for allowing teen workers to operate trash compactors.
Investigators with the DOL Wage and Hour Division found Meisterguys LLC, operator of Five Guys Burgers & Fries Ogden, and PCO-KTA LLC, operator of Kent’s Market, allowed minors to operate or assist in operating the machines.
The 14- and 15-year-old workers at Five Guys were also allowed to operate a manual fryer.
Minors aren’t allowed to operate or assist in operating trash compactors and manual fryers as both activities are prohibited under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Both businesses also allowed teen employees to work longer than the FLSA permits during the school year.
Meisterguys LLC was fined $17,159 for its violations. PCO-KTA LLC was assessed $6,283 in fines.
