Alabama Manufacturer Faces Fines for Safety Violations After Teen’s Injury

An Ashford, Alabama company that manufactures wood container and pallets has been cited and fined by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a teenage worker was seriously injured.

The Dothan Eagle reports the fines stemmed from an accident involving 15-year-old Brian Jacobs Jr., who was helping his stepfather at the plant when he was injured in June.

Jacobs told the newspaper that a piece of wood flew out of a machine and knocked a platform out from under him.

OSHA Area Director Kurt Petermeyer said the original fine of $6,000 was reduced after a conference with Summerford Pallet officials to $4,080.

Officials at Summerford Pallet did not return phone messages left by a reporter at the Dothan Eagle.