Princeton Airport fined by U.S. Department of Labor

Case involves 14-year-old burned in February accident.

By: Kara Fitzpatrick
   MONTGOMERY — The U.S. Department of Labor has fined Princeton Airport $18,700 for illegally employing the 14-year-old who was injured on the job in February.
   The juvenile, who the Department of Labor said was working as a trainee mechanic apprentice, received second- and third-degree burns during an accident that occurred during a routine plane inspection earlier this year.
   An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that the airport illegally employed the minor, who worked without pay, servicing planes in the airport hangar, more than eight hours a day. According to the Department of Labor, the minor often worked earlier than 7 a.m. and the airport did not maintain records of the minor’s work hours.
   According to the Department of Labor, the airport violated the youth-employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
   "This accident is an unfortunate example of what can happen when minors are engaged in unlawful employment," said Dominick Denato, district director for the southern New Jersey office of the Wage and Hour Division. "Employers have a responsibility to know when and where minors can work to ensure their safety."
   Calls made to the Princeton Airport seeking comment were not returned.
   According to the Department of Labor, the airport has agreed to pay $345 in back wages to the minor and said it will comply with all provisions of the law in the future. The airport has appealed the $18,700 fine and requested a hearing.
   The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits 14-year-olds from performing job duties in and around hangars, runways or places where power-driven equipment designed for transportation is repaired, cleaned or serviced.
   Hours are also restricted for workers younger than 16. Although 14- and 15-year-olds can work outside school hours, they may not work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. before June 1 and after Labor Day. They are also not allowed to work more than three hours on a school day or more than 18 hours in a school week.
   The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration also is investigating the incident.