DeCoster Egg Farms to Shell Out $2 Million
WASHINGTON — DeCoster Egg Farms, one of the nation’s leading egg producers, on Monday agreed to pay a $2-million fine for safety and health violations found last July.
Turner, Maine-based DeCoster Egg Farms was fined for violating numerous health and safety codes, including maintaining machinery without protective shields, failing to provide protective equipment for workers, refusing to pay employees in a timely fashion and forcing workers to live in unsanitary conditions.
As part of the settlement, DeCoster will hire an independent consultant to conduct surprise inspections. If violations are found, DeCoster will have to pay an additional $1.8-million penalty.
“We have put into place improvements which in some areas exceed OSHA standards and in all areas meet OSHA standards,” owner Austin J. DeCoster said.
Separate from the agreement, DeCoster agreed to pay 105 workers back wages and unpaid overtime plus interest, which amounts to $21,000, and to pay a $33,000 civil fine above and beyond the $2-million fine.
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