The N.C. Department of Labor has issued two citations to Pallet Express Inc, fining the company $17,350 for violations inspectors found after the Oct. 2 death of Nery Castaneda.

Castaneda, 17, of Greensboro, became entangled in a grinder used to dispose of obsolete pallets while he was operating it, authorities said after the accident.

Pallet Express, off US 29 north of Greensboro at 2821 Assembly Road, builds and sells wooden pallets. It also grinds them to dispose of them and to make mulch, according to its Web site.

The company has 15 working days to contest the citations, issued March 4, or pay the fines.