Safety of Children in the Workplace

Two organizations are responsible for laws pertaining to children in the American workplace: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Both groups fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Ages

Federal guidelines set 14 as the minimum age a child can be employed outside the home. There are exceptions for some types of work, most notably related to mining and manufacturing. Some jobs, such as paper delivery or babysitting, have no restrictions.

Types of Work

Children under 18 may not perform work considered by the Secretary of Labor to be hazardous. This includes coal mining, logging, operating power equipment and manufacturing.

Hours Worked

Children younger than 16 may not work during school hours, before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., or for more than three hours per day. Those 16 and older have no restrictions as per federal law.

Wages

In certain cases, an employer is not required to pay children under 20 minimum wage: during the first 90 days on the job, to certain full-time students and to those considered tipped employees.

Requirements

Federal law does not require work permits for children, but many states do. States may also have more restrictive laws regarding hours and types of employment. In that case, the more stringent law applies.

References

• United States Department of Labor: Youth Employment Provisions
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration