OSHA settles with Mar Jac Poultry

Mar-Jac Poultry, a Hattiesburg processing plant, has settled with the U.S. Department of Labor, agreeing to pay $164,814 in fines and implement enhanced safety measures following the tragic death of 16-year-old Duvan Perez. Perez was killed on July 14, 2023, when he was pulled into a machine while cleaning it, and investigations revealed that lockout/tagout procedures were not followed during the incident. OSHA's findings highlighted Mar-Jac's previous knowledge of safety issues, as the plant had been cited multiple times for similar violations in the past. The settlement requires the addition of trained supervisors, updated training for workers, and a series of audits and assessments to ensure compliance with safety protocols moving forward. The victim's family has filed a lawsuit against Mar-Jac and the staffing agency, Onin Staffing, for negligence in employing the underage worker. OSHA emphasized the need for tangible actions to protect workers from well-known hazards in meat processing facilities.