OSHA Employment of Minors in Hazardous Duties
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces workplace health and safety laws that protect all employees. Special regulations exist for minors, especially in workplaces involving hazardous situations or activities.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
OSHA was created in 1971 to enforce standards and regulations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act signed by President Richard Nixon in 1970. According to OSHA, since the agency's creation, work-related deaths have decreased 62 percent and injuries have decreased 42 percent.
Function
-
OSHA's main function is to inspect workplaces for dangerous working conditions. OSHA works with state and other federal agencies to create workplace safety standards.
-
Minors
-
The Fair Labor Standards Act and the Labor Department define occupations that are hazardous to minors. Separate restrictions exist for minors in agricultural and non-agricultural workplaces.
Agricultural Hazardous Duties
-
Minors 16 and older can work in any agricultural job. In general, agricultural workers under 16 cannot operate certain equipment and machines, work near animals in certain situations, work at a height above 20 feet or handle certain chemicals and explosives.
Non-Agricultural Hazardous Duties
-
Anyone 18 or older can work in any non-agricultural job. In general, hazardous non-agricultural occupations and duties for minors age 14 to 17 include certain manufacturing industries, mining industries, logging and sawmills, excavation, use of specific power-driven machines and exposure to certain substances.
-
