Child labor -- prohibited work for minors

The commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry has established some occupations as hazardous or detrimental to the well-being of minors. There is work that is prohibited for minors under the age of 18, as well as work that is prohibited for minors under the age of 16.

Prohibited work for minors under the age of 16

In addition to all of the prohibited work for minors under the age of 18, those under the age of 16 are prohibited from the following work.

Machinery -- minors are prohibited to work:

operating or assisting in the operation of machinery;
operating laundry, rug cleaning or dry-cleaning equipment;
operating power-driven snowblowers, lawn mowers or garden equipment;
operating drill presses, milling machines, grinders, lathes and portable power-driven machinery such as drills, sanders, and polishing and scrubbing equipment for floor maintenance;
operating meat slicers, textile-making machines or bakery machinery;
oiling, cleaning or maintaining any power-driven machinery;
using pits, racks or lifting apparatus at service stations or in mounting tires on rims; and
in a car wash to attach cars to or detach them from mechanized conveyor lines or to operate or contact the car while it is connected to the conveyor.

Agriculture -- minors are prohibited to work:

in any agricultural operation declared by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to be particularly hazardous for employment of children less than age 16.

Transportation -- minors are prohibited to work:

in or about an airport landing strip and taxi or maintenance aprons; and
as an outside helper on a motor vehicle.

Operations -- minors are prohibited to work:

welding;
as a loader or launcher for skeet- or trap-shooting;
in a manufacturing or commercial warehouse; and
in a processing plant.

Other -- minors are prohibited to work:

lifting, carrying or caring for patients in hospitals or nursing homes; and
in walk-in meat freezers or meat coolers, except for occasional entrance.

Exceptions to the prohibited-work limitations include:

a 17-year-old high school graduate;

a minor employed by a business solely owned and daily supervised by one or both parents; and

a minor employed at tasks away from or outside the area of hazardous operation, equipment or materials.

See also: Penalties