OSHA Proposes $1.4M Fine Against Wisconsin Sawmill Following Teen's Death

Florence Hardwoods cited for numerous safety violations, plans to appeal the findings.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a $1.4 million fine against Florence Hardwoods LLC, a sawmill in northern Wisconsin, citing numerous violations of federal safety and health regulations.
The proposed fine follows an investigation into the death of 16-year-old Michael Schuls, who died in July after being injured at the sawmill.
OSHA has cited Florence Hardwoods for eight willful, six repeat, 29 serious and four other-than-serious violations, five of which were categorized as 'egregious'.
Florence Hardwoods has stated that it plans to appeal the findings and does not agree with OSHA's representation of what occurred or their characterization of the company's safety practices.
Aside from Schuls' death, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that three other children, ages 15 or 16, suffered injuries at Florence Hardwoods between November 2021 and March 2023.