Teen workers ran wood chipper for Idaho tree company, feds say. Now firm to pay fines

An Idaho tree service company allowed two 17-year-old workers to run a wood chipper and didn’t pay overtime for dozens of workers, federal officials said.

Now Done-Rite Tree Co. in Meridian faces thousands in penalties, back wages and damages, according to a Sept. 7 news release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Done-Rite Tree Co. did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The tree service company is accused of allowing two 17-year-old workers to run a power-driven wood chipper, which is illegal according to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the release says.

In addition, federal investigators said they found the company had not paid overtime wages for 39 workers who had worked over 40 hours in a week.

Done-Rite Tree Co. now owes $39,711 in back wages, $39,711 in liquidated damages and $10,747 in penalties, according to the release.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensure employees receive all of the wages they have earned, including overtime,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Carrie Aguilar in Portland, Oregon. “It is also critical to ensure the safety and well-being of young workers. The operation of the woodchipper by minors could have ended in tragedies had we not intervened.”

A 17-year-old boy working with a tree removal crew was killed when he was pulled into a wood chipper at a home on Aug. 9 in North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, WFMZ-TV reported.

Meridian is about 10 miles west of Boise.

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