Georgia Child Labor Law

In Georgia, school, not work, is considered top priority for children.

Most people today wouldn't think about employing a young child for work, but employing a high school student is still considered child labor. Strict laws govern the practice, so it's important for employers to understand child labor laws that are designed to keep children safe. In Georgia, as of Spring 2010, child labor laws exist for the protection of children and businesses alike.

History

Georgia was ahead of the game regarding children at work and legislation to keep them safe. The state wrote its first law concerning child labor in 1878. The federal version, the Fair Labor Standards Act, wasn't enacted until 1938.

The state and federal laws are similar in scope, but there are differences. Pertaining to child labor, whenever a difference is discovered, officials enforce the stricter laws.

Authority

The Georgia Department of Labor has a section, Child Labor, that is devoted to this issue. It sets forth and monitors all guidelines, restrictions, and regulations for the employment of those under age 18.

The GDOL's scope of influence includes reviewing certificates of employment, or work permits, so that a child's job duties never violate the law, reviewing all forms to ensure they were filled out properly, and inspecting any and all possible violations.

GDOL also issues consent certificates for minors employed by the entertainment industry. It conducts child labor workshops for schools, employers and anyone else who might need this information.

For more information on GDOL and its Child Labor division, call 404-232-3260.

Hazardous/Prohibited Occupations

Children aged 15 and younger cannot work with or on any machinery or cars, trucks, railroads or railroad cars, or boats. They are forbidden from working with conveyors or anything similar as well as gears that are unguarded.

They are not allowed near communication/public utilities fields, meat coolers, scaffolding, construction sites, mines or quarries.

Minors under 16 cannot work in situations where they'd be expected to process food, install or maintain fixtures, or be around gas or acid.

Forbidden Jobs

No minors may work near or around explosives. They are not allowed to drive motor vehicles or assist drivers. They may not work in or around the roofing, excavation, mining, logging /milling, woodworking, ship-wrecking or demolition industries. They are not allowed to handle radioactive substances or hoisting, metal-forming, punching and shearing machines.

Minors are forbidden from working in meat-slaughtering houses where they pack, process or render meat. They cannot operate bakery or paper products machines. They are also barred from tile, brick and similar manufacturing, as well as any business where there are saws or other cutting machines.

References

• Georgia Dept. of Labor: Get Information about Child Labor