The U.S. Department of Labor announced earlier this week that Tuff Torq was fined nearly $300K for illegally employing minors to operate dangerous equipment, some as young as 14 years old.
It says that division investigators began their probe months ago but obtained clear evidence of the unlawful conduct on Jan. 23, 2024, when they observed a child operating a power-driven hoisting apparatus, an occupation prohibited for workers under the age of 18.
As a result, the department objected to the shipment of goods from the Morristown facility, citing the Fair Labor Standards Act’s “hot goods” provision, which prevents employers from shipping goods produced by oppressive child labor.
The Tennessee manufacturer supplies outdoor power-equipment components for brands such as John Deere, Toro, and Yamaha.
In addition to an agreement to comply with the child labor provisions of the FLSA, payment of the full civil money penalty, and disgorgement of profits, Tuff Torq has agreed to do the following:
- Contract with a community-based organization to provide regular training to staff, managers and contractors.
- Establish an anonymous tip line for reporting child labor and other suspected FLSA…
