A Wisconsin sawmill operator has agreed to stop hiring children after the death of a teenager.
Michael Schuls, 16, died of "traumatic asphyxia" after an accident at Florence Hardwoods.
The company also employed nine children, some as young as 14, "to illegally operate machinery," including saws for processing lumber.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"While we did not knowingly or intentionally violate labor laws, we accept the findings and associated penalties," Florence Hardwoods said in a statement provided to Insider.
In May, a pair of Wisconsin Republicans began circulating a bill that would allow 14-year-olds to serve alcohol; earlier, the state's Republican-led legislature legalized children working as late as 11 p.m.
Persons:
Michael Schuls, Labor Julie Su, Schuls, Seema Nanda, —, Kim Reynolds, May, Reynolds, cdavis@insider.com
Organizations:
Labor, Service, US Department of Labor, Green Bay Press, Gazette, Sheriff's, Press - Gazette, Department of Labor, Wisconsin Republicans, Republican, Des Moines Register
Locations:
Wisconsin, Florence, Wall, Silicon, Mississippi, Iowa