Seven Hawaiian Falls’ Water Parks Violate Child Labor Laws
The U.S. Department of Labor found underage workers using dangerous equipment and working outside of permitted hours.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has determined Hawaiian Falls' Water and Adventure parks violated child labor provisions as underage workers used dangerous equipment, as well as worked outside of the permitted work hours.
Seven different parks in Texas were investigated, including those in Garland, Mansfield, Roanoke, Pflugerville, The Colony, White Settlement, and Waco. The employer has paid $85,904 in penalties as a result.
"Keeping our youngest workers safe on the job is one of the department's top priorities," said Betty Campbell, regional administrator for the Southwest Wage and Hour Division. "This employer put the health and well-being of children at risk by employing them to perform prohibited and hazardous jobs and for scheduling them outside of the hours allowed by law. The penalties imposed against the employer are indicative of the Wage and Hour Division's effort to hold violators accountable for breaking the law. We all want young workers to develop the skills and experience necessary to compete in the marketplace, but safety must never be sacrificed in the process."